What is my retirement age?

Knowing your retirement age is important because you can use it as a target for when you can stop working. It’s important to note, however, that if you set your retirement age early, it might not be the same as the age you can claim either your individual or state pension. On this page, you’ll learn what the current retirement age in the UK is, how to claim your state pension and some ways you can save for your retirement.

There is no longer a forced retirement age in the UK. Since 2011, the law states that you can work for as long as you want. There is a pension age in place, which means that when you hit this age, you’ll have access to a state pension and any other pensions you are eligible for.

As of 2025, the retirement age in the UK is currently 66 years old for both men and women. However, it will increase to 67 for those born on or after April 1960, starting in May 2026. The age is expected to reach 67 by March 2028.

You can claim your state pension when you reach your pension age, which is currently 66 for both men and women.

If you live in the UK, you won’t automatically receive a state pension when you reach your pension age. In most cases, you’ll receive a letter four months before you’re expected to retire, which will include details on how to claim your state pension.

To find out when you can qualify for your state pension and be of retirement age, you can use this state pension age calculator from the government’s website. Using this tool will allow you to check when you’ll reach your state pension age, your pension credit qualifying age and when you’ll be eligible for free bus travel. All you need to do is input your date of birth, and the calculator will determine the rest for you.

Yes, the retirement age is gradually increasing. The state pension age is regularly reviewed to make sure it’s affordable and fair. The state pension age for men and women will increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028. And under the current law, the state pension age is planned to increase to 68 between the years 2044 and 2046, although this is yet to be confirmed.

The following tables show how the UK will be affected, and how your date of birth will determine your pension age:

The UK’s population is ageing. According to the ONS’s population projections, by 2072, the amount of people aged 65 or over in the UK could rise to 22.1 million people, or 27% of the population.

To preserve intergenerational fairness, the state pension age is increasing as the life expectancy improves. Life expectancy at birth in the UK in 2020 to 2022 was 78.6 years for males and 82.6 years for females.

Unless you’re already retired, if you live in the UK, the state pension age is 66, but this is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. The UK has one of the highest retirement ages in the world, and will join other countries with the joint highest retirement age once this has increased to 67.

Only four countries have a state retirement age below 60 years old:

Sri Lanka: 55

Indonesia: 58

Nepal: 58

Bangladesh: 59

Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Israel, and Italy, meanwhile, are among the countries with the highest retirement age of 67.

The information provided here is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult with a licensed financial adviser or professional before making any financial decisions. Your financial situation is unique, and the information provided may not be suitable for your specific circumstances. We are not liable for any financial decisions or actions you take based on this information.

There are often three ways to claim your pension, which are:

• Over the phone, by calling the state pension claim line
• Online, by registering on the Department of Work & Pensions website
• By downloading a state pension claim form and sending it to your local pension centre

There are plenty of ways to save for your retirement. One common method is applying for a personal pension, or a workplace pension if your employer offers this scheme. Workplace pensions are tax-efficient as they allow you to contribute to your pension through your monthly salary. Your employer will automatically contribute on your behalf when deducting pension contributions from your salary.

Another way to save is through investing, although this comes with more risk. Investing in stocks and shares is generally considered a long-term strategy, and while that can be very profitable, your returns aren’t guaranteed, and you could lose all your investments.

A safer way to save for retirement is by opening a savings account, especially one offering competitive interest rates. You won’t be at risk of losing your savings, as the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects deposits into savings accounts offered by UK-regulated banks.