The age at which an individual can draw their UK State Pension depends on their date of birth and the type of State Pension they qualify for.
- For men born on or after 6 April 1951 and women born on or after 6 April 1953, the new State Pension applies. You can claim it when you reach your State Pension age, which is set by the government and can be checked online based on your birth date.
- The current state pension age is generally around 66 but is subject to rising gradually to 67 between 2026 and 2028 and possibly higher in future, depending on government reviews.
- You must claim your State Pension; it is not paid automatically. You can claim it up to 4 months before you reach State Pension age, but payments start at the State Pension age or later if deferred.
For a precise date to start drawing the State Pension, it is best to use the government’s State Pension age calculator with your date of birth. This will give the exact earliest date you can claim your pension based on current rules.
