State pension age equalised for men and women

Since 2010, the state pension age for women has been gradually increased from 60 to 65 – which is the current qualifying age for men.

Women born between 6 November 1953 and 5 December 1953 qualified for their state pensions today – meaning women turning 65 today are the first to wait as long as men for their pensions.

The changes mean some women born after 5 April 1950 will have to wait longer than expected to receive their state pension. The rising pension age for women has been fought by campaign groups, which say the speed of the changes has caught millions unaware and will leave many women born in the 1950s worse off.  

See our for more info for those reaching pension age on or after 6 April 2016.

How is the state pension age changing?

From now on, all changes to the state pension age will be applied to men and women in the same way.

The Government is set to continue raising the state pension age for those born on or after 6 December 1953.

The state pension age will start to increase from the current age of 65 from December this year, and will be 66 for both men and women by October 2020.

The state pension age for both men and women is then set to increase again to 67 between 2026 and 2028 – seven years earlier than originally planned – and to 68 between 2044 and 2046 (though this change is currently being reviewed).

Check the Government's state pension timetable to find out when you'll qualify for the state pension.