State pension age calculator

This calculator provides a quick way to find out when you can start claiming the state pension, giving you the specific date your state pension payments will start and how old you’ll be when this happens.

State pension age calculator

How to use this calculator

Enter your date of birth into the box, making sure it’s in the day/month/year format. You won’t need to type any dashes yourself; the calculator will add these for you.

When you’re ready, click the “Calculate” button.

How it works

The calculator uses your date of birth to work out the date you’ll be able to claim the state pension from, and specifies what your retirement age is. This is based on the latest Government plans.

The state pension age is currently 66, but this may have changed by the time you are due to reach retirement. It is due to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and to 68 between 2044 and 2046. 

This shift to age 68 was recently reviewed, with many speculating the Government would bring it forward to 2035. This would have affected people born between 1968 and 1979. 

What is this calculator useful for?

This calculator can be useful for those who simply want to know when they are due to reach state pension age, as well as those who are planning their retirement.

Given state pension payments are £230.25 a week, or £11,973 a year, for 2025-26, with the increase taking effect in April, it is a sizeable sum of money for retirees. The triple lock guarantee means the state pension will rise by at least 2.5pc each year, too.

It’s therefore important to know when this money is set to kick in, as this could have a bearing on your retirement plans – and, indeed, how much you’ll need to save during your working life.

Can I retire sooner than state pension age?

Yes, you can retire sooner than the state pension age, but you cannot start claiming the state pension before you reach the specified age. 

Instead, you might choose to use money from a private pension, or alternative savings, to fund your everyday spending while you wait to claim the state pension. Our guide can reveal the best pensions for 2025 to give your retirement savings the best start.

Mixed aged couples state pension

A “mixed aged couple” refers to an instance where one partner has reached state pension age, but the other has not yet. 

This does not have an effect on the state pension, which is paid individually. So, the partner who has reached state pension age can start claiming it, but the other will have to wait. 

Under the “old” basic state pension, there are rules for the “married woman’s rate”, where married women can boost their payments by using their spouse’s National Insurance record if they hadn’t paid enough in their own right. You can find out more in our guide to the state pension for married couples.

Being a mixed age couple can, however, be relevant for certain benefits. Couples in receipt of working age benefits (namely Universal Credit) used to be able to choose when to move to pension age benefits (such as pension credit and pension-age housing benefit), but the rules changed in 2019 so that both partners must have reached state pension age before making the move.