UK Government Launches Early Review of State Pension Age Amid Budget Pressure
The UK Government has initiated a formal review into the statutory pension age for state retirement benefits, starting the process earlier than required under current legislation.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced on 21 July 2025 that the review will assess whether the current retirement age of 66 remains appropriate, and whether the already scheduled rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and later to 68 between 2044 and 2046, should be accelerated.
The statutory requirement for such reviews stems from the Pensions Act 2014, which mandates revisiting the pension age every six years, taking into account factors such as life expectancy.
Under the current timetable, the next review would have concluded in 2029, but the Government has brought the review forward.
The existing pension age for both men and women stands at 66. The law already provides a rise to 67 in the period from 2026 to 2028 and then to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
In tandem with the review, the Government has re-established the Pensions Commission to carry out a broader investigation into savings and retirement income adequacy.
The commission’s remit includes examining why a significant portion of the working-age population is not making pension contributions and why future retirees risk being worse off.
The history of pension age changes in the UK reveals a pattern of gradual increases.
Women’s pension age was equalised with men’s in the period 2010-2018 under the Pensions Act 2011, while the Pensions Act 2014 advanced the timetable for rising to 67 and introduced the review requirement.
Officials point to demographic trends, longevity increases and fiscal costs as drivers for re-examining the timetable.
The DWP said the review will draw on an independent report by the Government Actuary’s Department and other evidence to determine whether “the rules about pensionable age are appropriate”.
Office-holders urged that the triple lock policy, which guarantees annual uplifts in pension payments by whichever is highest: inflation, earnings growth, or 2.5%, is costing the Government around £31 billion per year.
The call for evidence for the independent element of the review closed on 18 August 2025.
