Change to State Pension Age

The State Pension age is changing from April 2026 onwards. It is currently 66, but will increase incrementally, in small steps, and reach 67 by 2028.

The confusing thing is that people born between 6th April 1960 and 5th March 1961, will not reach State Pension age on their birthday, but a specific number of months following their 66th birthday.

If you are born between April 1961 and March 1977, you will reach State Pension age again on your birthday when you turn 67.

Your State Pension age is relevant for welfare benefits entitlement: it determines when you stop being entitled to Universal Credit or when you can no longer make new claims for Personal Independence Payment; it also affects whether you can claim Attendance Allowance, Housing Benefit, State Pension and Pension Credit. Note: State Pension and Pension Credit can be claimed up to 4 months before reaching State Pension age.

If you would like one-to-one advice on your situation, please get in touch with The Contact Point and ask to speak with our in-house benefits advisors.

Changes to Welfare Benefits from April

April is the time of the year when most welfare benefits get their annual uprating. This year’s increase is 3.8% for most benefits and 4.8% for State Pension. The Universal Credit (UC) standard allowance will be increased above-inflation by 6.2%.

April is also the time of the year when landlords increase the rent for tenants. Those of you who are renting and getting UC or Housing Benefit, do not forget to report your increased rent to the relevant benefit department as soon as possible. If you are on UC, you can do this on your online account.

From April, many low-income families with more than two children will see an increase in their entitlement to UC. This is because the two-child limit will be removed and parents are going to be entitled to a child element for each of their children (provided they are living with them, are under 20 years old, and are in non-advanced full-time education). Those of you who are already receiving UC, make sure that all your children are reported on your claim. Many low-income families with more than two children who are currently not entitled to UC, may become entitled following the April changes.

If you are receiving a transitional protection element as part of your UC: the above increases in UC entitlement could affect the amount of your transitional protection element, i.e. you may not see any of those increases, or they may be smaller than they are for people who do not receive a transitional protection element.

The Carers Allowance earnings limit will increase to £204 per week. Carers who are working part-time may become entitled to Carers Allowance if they earn less than £204 per week. If you are working part time and are already getting Carers Allowance, you may be able to increase your working hours slightly. If you are getting UC with a carer element, this change is not relevant to you.

If you would like one-to-one advice on your situation, please get in touch with The Contact Point and ask to speak with our in-house benefits advisors.