Dear TPAS
My sister tells me that I won't be able to get the state pension
until I am 65. Is this true? I was born in 1972.
Answer
I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is that your
sister is wrong - your state retirement age is not 65. The bad
news is that it is 67.
Your sister was clearly aware that state retirement age for women
would rise gradually from 60 to 65. This change was
meant to bring equality with men. I'm sure you think it is equality
you could do without.
In addition, in recognition that average life expectancy has risen,
more recent changes increase state retirement ages even
further for both men and women. Between 6 April 2024 and 5 April
2026 it will rise from 65 to 66; between 6 April 2034 and 5 April
2036 it will rise from 66 to 67 and between 6 April 2044 and 5
April 2046 it will rise from 67 to 68.
If anyone else wants to see how you might be affected, go to our
State Pension Age Calculator, input your date of birth, click the
relevant gender box and the bad news will be revealed. Why not
input your sister's date of birth and you might be able to give her
a surprise.
You can call our helpline on 0845 601 2923 if you would like to discuss any of the issues related here.
