CHANGES TO THE STATE PENSION AGE FOR WOMEN: KEY FACTS

APRIL 2009

  • From 2010, the State pension age for women will increase gradually to 65, to bring it into line with the State pension age for men.
  • The State pension age for women born after 5 April 1955 will be 65.
  • The minimum age for claiming benefits such as Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Payments will increase in line with the State pension age.
  • The age at which women will be able to get certain benefits, such as Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support or Employment and Support Allowance will increase in line with the State pension age.
  • The necessary conditions will still have to be met to claim any benefits.

Between April 2009 and January 2012, the Department for Work and Pensions will be writing to approximately 1.9 million women to explain these changes. Women affected will receive a personalised letter telling them the date on which they will receive their State pension and a leaflet containing information about recent improvements in the State pension.

Women will receive their mailing between 12 and 39 months prior to their 60th birthday. There is no need for members to take action unless the date of birth given on the letter is incorrect, in which case they should contact The Pension Service on the telephone number given in the letter.

More information on these changes, and a calculator that anyone can use to work out their exact State pension age can be found at

STATE PENSION AGE EQUALISATION: MAILING TIMETABLE

Date of Birth / Increase in State Pension Age above 60 / Dates when will turn 60 / Date of Mailing / Notice period (amount of time between mailing and 60th birthday)
6 April 1950 -
5 July 1950 / 1-3 months / 6 April 2010 -
5 July 2010 / April 2009 / 12 – 15 months
6July 1950 -
5October 1950 / 3 - 6 months / 6 July 2010 -
5 October 2010 / July 2009 / 12 – 15 months
6 October 1950 -
5 April 1951 / 6-12 months / 6 October 2010 -
5 April 2011 / October 2009 / 12 -18 months
6 April 1951 -
5 October 1951 / 12 – 18 months / 6 April 2011 -
5 October 2011 / January 2010 / 15 – 21 months
6 October 1951 - 5 April 1952 / 18 – 24 months / 6 October 2011 -
5 April 2012 / April 2010 / 18 – 24 months
6 April 1952 -
5 October 1952 / 24 - 30 months / 6 April 2012 -
5 October 2012 / July 2010 / 21 – 27 months
6 October 1952 -
5 April 1953 / 30 – 36 months / 6 October 2012 -
5 April 2013 / October 2010 / 24 – 30 months
6 April 1953 -
5 October 1953 / 36 – 42 months / 6 April 2013 -
5 October 2013 / January 2011 / 27 – 33 months
6 October 1953 -
5 March 1954 / 42 – 47 months / 6 October 2013 -
5 March 2014 / April 2011 / 30 – 35 months
6 March 1954 -
5 August 1954 / 47 – 52 months / 6 March 2014 -
5 August 2014 / July 2011 / 32 – 37 months
6 August 1954 -
5 January 1955 / 52 – 57 months / 6 August 2014 -
5 January 2015 / October 2011 / 34 – 39 months
6 January 1955 -
5 April 1955 / 57 – 60 months / 6 January 2015 -
5 April 2015 / January 2012 / 36 – 39 months