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Will The UK State Pension Age Rise To 70? 5 Critical Facts You Need To Know Now

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The question of whether the UK State Pension Age (SPA) will rise to 70 is no longer a hypothetical one—it is a central debate in current UK economic and social policy. As of today, December 20, 2025, the State Pension Age is legislated to rise to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046, but a bombshell report from the International Longevity Centre (ILC) and ongoing government reviews suggest that a rise to 70—or even 71—is a near-certainty for younger generations.

The pressure to make the State Pension system affordable is mounting, driven by shifting demographics and increasing life expectancy. While the government has yet to officially commit to an SPA of 70, the economic forecasts and the upcoming 2025 review make this a critical point for anyone planning their retirement, especially those currently in their 40s and 50s.

The Current State Pension Age Schedule and The Third Review

Before assessing the likelihood of a rise to 70, it is essential to understand the current, legislated timetable for the State Pension Age increases. These changes are already in motion and affect millions of people across the UK.

The State Pension Age is currently 66 for both men and women. The timetable for future increases is set out primarily by the Pensions Act 2014, with subsequent reviews influencing the pace of change.

  • Increase to Age 67: This rise is already legislated and will be phased in between 2026 and 2028.
  • Increase to Age 68: Under the existing law, the SPA is scheduled to rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046.

However, the key driver for the "rise to 70" speculation is the Third State Pension Age Review, which the government announced the launch of in July 2025. This review is designed to consider whether the rules around pensionable age remain appropriate, particularly in light of economic affordability and life expectancy data. The review will assess the "merits" of automatically linking future increases to life expectancy, a mechanism that would make the rise to 70 far more likely.

The Economic Reality: Why Experts Predict Age 71 by 2050

The most compelling argument for a State Pension Age of 70 (or higher) comes from independent economic and demographic analysis. The system's affordability hinges on the ratio of working-age people paying National Insurance contributions versus the number of retirees drawing the State Pension.

1. The Critical Dependency Ratio

The UK's old-age dependency ratio is the core problem. This is the number of people of State Pension Age compared to the number of working-age people. Experts, including the International Longevity Centre (ILC), have warned that the UK is forecast to reach a dependency ratio of 50% by 2050.

  • What this means: By 2050, there will be only one working-age adult for every retiree in receipt of the State Pension.
  • The ILC Forecast: To maintain the current ratio of workers per State pensioner, the ILC report suggests the State Pension Age will need to hit 71 by 2050.

This demographic shift is the single most powerful entity pushing the State Pension Age towards 70 and beyond. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has also acknowledged the projections, stating that even an SPA of 70 may not be enough to solve the long-term funding challenge.

2. The Role of Life Expectancy

Historically, State Pension Age increases have been justified by rising life expectancy, allowing people to spend a greater proportion of their adult life in retirement.

  • Current Projections: Male life expectancy at age 66 is projected to be 19.2 years in 2025, and is forecast to increase a further 1.9 years to 21.1 years by 2050.
  • The Policy Target: Government policy has been to ensure that people spend roughly one-third of their adult lives in retirement. As longevity increases, the State Pension Age must follow to maintain this balance.

However, a key counter-argument in the debate is the growing disparity in healthy life expectancy across different social groups in the UK. Many argue that raising the SPA to 70 unfairly penalises those in manual professions or lower-income areas, whose healthy working lives are often shorter.

3. The Political Stance on a State Pension Age of 70

The State Pension is a highly sensitive political issue, particularly due to the popular "Triple Lock" mechanism, which guarantees annual increases. The cost of maintaining the Triple Lock is often cited as a reason why the SPA must rise faster.

While no major political party has explicitly committed to an SPA of 70 in their current manifestos, the direction of travel is clear:

  • The Conservative Party: The current government initiated the Independent Review of the State Pension Age and has historically supported linking the SPA to longevity. The debate within the party is focused on *how quickly* to accelerate the rise to 68, not whether to stop there.
  • The Labour Party: The Labour Party has also, in the past, legislated for increases to the State Pension Age. Their current policy is focused on ensuring fairness and tackling the disparities in healthy life expectancy, but they face the same affordability pressures as the government.

The third review, due to conclude soon, will place immense pressure on the next government to make a decision on the acceleration of the rise to 68, which is the immediate step before 70 becomes the next logical progression for those born after 1978.

4. Who Will Be Affected by a State Pension Age of 70?

If the government accepts the recommendations of the ILC and other economic bodies, the rise to 70 will primarily impact younger generations, particularly those currently in their 40s and younger.

  • Born in the 1970s: These individuals are already likely to see their SPA rise to 68. A move to 70 would affect their retirement planning significantly.
  • Born after 1978: The ILC's projection of 71 by 2050 directly targets this cohort, suggesting they will be the first generation to work into their early 70s to qualify for the full State Pension.

The government's plan to write to people around their 50th birthday, stating their expected State Pension Age, is a crucial step for personal financial planning and will be a major source of anxiety for those facing the prospect of working longer.

5. What You Can Do Now to Prepare for a Higher State Pension Age

Given the strong economic consensus that the State Pension Age will continue to rise, proactive financial planning is essential for all UK workers. The key is to reduce reliance on the State Pension as the sole source of retirement income.

Immediate Steps for Retirement Planning:

  • Check Your Forecast: Use the government's online tool to check your personal State Pension forecast and National Insurance record.
  • Maximise Workplace Pensions: Ensure you are contributing the maximum affordable amount to your workplace pension scheme (Auto-Enrolment).
  • Consider Private Savings: Explore Lifetime ISAs (LISAs), Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), or other private savings vehicles to build a pot that can bridge the gap between your desired retirement age and the official State Pension Age.
  • Monitor the 2025 Review: Pay close attention to the outcomes of the Third State Pension Age Review, as this will set the precedent for future increases beyond 68.

The pressure to raise the State Pension Age to 70 is driven by irrefutable demographic and economic forces. While the government has not yet made the final legislative commitment, the expert consensus suggests that working into your late 60s, and potentially your early 70s, is becoming the new normal for future generations of retirees.

Will the UK State Pension Age Rise to 70? 5 Critical Facts You Need to Know Now
Will State Pension age rise to 70?
Will State Pension age rise to 70?

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