State Pension Retirement Age: UK and Ireland Guide (2024)

Few things nudge you into retirement planning mode like hearing that the pension age is moving again — whether it’s the UK’s steady climb to 67 or Ireland’s steady hold at 66. This guide compares the state pension retirement age rules on both sides of the Irish Sea, covering the scheduled changes, means testing quirks, and survivor benefits that could reshape your income in later life.

Current UK State Pension age: 66 ·
Planned UK State Pension age: 67 by 2028 ·
Irish State Pension age: 66 ·
Maximum UK State Pension (2024/25): £221.20 per week ·
Maximum Irish State Pension (Contributory, 2024): €277.30 per week

Six key figures define the current state pension landscape in both countries, with one pattern: the UK is raising its age while Ireland stays put.

What year does pension age change to 67?

Current state pension ages in the UK and Ireland

• The UK State Pension age is 66 for both men and women as of 2020, following a phased equalisation from 2010 to 2020 (UK Government (Pensions Acts 1995, 2007)).
• Ireland’s State Pension age is 66 and has not changed in recent years (Finnish Centre for Pensions (international comparison)).
• Before 2010, UK women’s pension age was 60 and men’s 65; the Pensions Act 1995 began equalising them from 2010 to 2020 (UK Government historical context).

Planned increase to 67 in the UK

• The UK government has legislated the State Pension age to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028 (UK Government (third review call for evidence)).
• This increase was set by the Pensions Act 2007, which originally planned 67 for 2024-2026, but subsequent reviews pushed it back to 2026-2028.
• A further rise to 68 is scheduled between 2044 and 2046 (UK Government long-term timetable).

What about the Irish state pension age?

• Ireland has no immediate legislation to raise the State Pension age from 66 (Citizens Information (government-run guide)).
• A 2025 survey by Royal London Ireland (financial services firm) found 38% of workers expect to retire before age 66, little changed from 39% in 2024.
• The same survey reported that 62% of workers feel retiring before 66 is out of reach, and 18% expect to work until age 70 (Royal London Ireland).

How much will the Irish State Pension be in 2026?

Projected increases in Irish State Pension

• The maximum Irish State Pension (Contributory) for 2024 is €277.30 per week (Citizens Information (official state guide)).
• The non-contributory maximum is €266.00 per week for 2024 (Citizens Information (non-contributory guide)).
• Each year’s Budget typically adjusts these rates; 2026 rates will be announced in October 2025 and are expected to rise in line with inflation or government commitments.

How the contributory pension is calculated

• The contributory pension is based on PRSI contributions: you need at least 520 paid contributions (10 years) and an average of 48 contributions per year to qualify for the maximum (Citizens Information (PRSI conditions)).
• The rate is tapered: lower contribution averages result in a reduced pension.
• You can defer your pension after 66 for an increased rate (known as a “bonus”).

Non-contributory pension rates

• The non-contributory pension is means-tested and lower than the contributory rate (Citizens Information (non-contributory)).
• As of 2024, the maximum non-contributory rate is €266.00 per week.
• Your income and assets (including savings, property other than your home) reduce the payment.

How much money can you have in the bank and still get a full pension?

Asset thresholds for means testing

• UK: The State Pension is not means-tested. Savings, investments, and other assets do not affect your entitlement (UK Government (new State Pension rules)).
• Ireland: The non-contributory pension is means-tested. A single person has a capital disregard of €20,000; savings above that reduce the pension (Citizens Information (non-contributory means test)).
• For a couple, the capital disregard is €40,000.

How savings affect your pension

• In Ireland, the means test treats capital (savings, shares, property other than your home) as notional weekly income based on a formula: the first €20,000 is ignored, then an amount is calculated using a scale (e.g., €20,001 to €30,000 contributes €1 per €1,000).
• This means even moderate savings can sharply reduce or eliminate the non-contributory pension.
• The contributory pension in Ireland is not affected by savings, but it is taxable.

Exemptions and disregard rules

• Your principal private residence is disregarded in the Irish means test for the non-contributory pension.
• Cars and household goods are generally not counted.
• Certain social welfare payments (e.g., Carer’s Allowance) are partially disregarded.

Do I get my husband’s State Pension when he dies?

Survivor’s pension eligibility in the UK

• If your spouse died before 6 April 2016, you may inherit up to 50% of their additional State Pension (the “SERPS” element) (UK Government (inheriting State Pension)).
• For deaths after 6 April 2016 under the new State Pension system, inheriting the basic State Pension is no longer possible, but you can inherit protected payments (e.g., if you deferred pension).
• The rules are complex and depend on your own National Insurance record and when your spouse died.

Survivor’s pension eligibility in Ireland

• Ireland has a Widow’s/Widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension based on your late spouse’s PRSI contributions (Citizens Information (widow’s pension)).
• You must be under State Pension age (66) to claim it; after 66, you transfer to your own State Pension (contributory or non-contributory) but may get a “Widow’s/Widower’s Pension” as an enhancement.
• The rate in 2024 is €225.50 per week (for someone under 66) or up to €277.30 if combined with a State Pension (Contributory) at 66.

How to claim your spouse’s state pension

1. UK: Claim online via gov.uk (State Pension checker) or by phone. You need your spouse’s National Insurance number and date of death.
2. Ireland: Apply through the Department of Social Protection (online or in person). You’ll need your late spouse’s PRSI contribution record.
3. Both systems require you to check if your own pension record gives you a better rate — you cannot double up.

How much can a pensioner earn before they lose their pension?

Earnings rules for UK State Pension

• The UK State Pension has no earnings limit once you reach State Pension age. You can work and earn any amount without losing your pension (UK Government (working while claiming State Pension)).
• However, your pension may be taxable if your total income (including earnings) exceeds the Personal Allowance (£12,570 in 2024/25).

Earnings rules for Irish State Pension

• The contributory pension is not reduced by earnings — you can work and receive the full contributory pension (Citizens Information (contributory)).
• The non-contributory pension is means-tested and earnings above a certain threshold reduce the payment. The means test considers gross earnings (after disregards).
• As of 2024, the first €200 per week of earnings is disregarded for a single person (€400 for a couple) when calculating means for the non-contributory pension (Citizens Information (means test detail)).

Impact of part-time work

• UK: Part-time work after State Pension age does not affect your State Pension. Many pensioners take up part-time roles without risk.
• Ireland: Part-time earnings are assessed in the non-contributory means test. If you earn over €200 per week, your pension is reduced. For the contributory pension, earnings are irrelevant to the pension amount but may push you into a higher tax band.

The pattern: The UK offers total freedom to work without pension penalty, while Ireland’s non-contributory pension has a means test that catches moderate earnings. The contributory Irish pension behaves more like the UK system.

UK vs Ireland state pension: side-by-side comparison

Three major dimensions show how differently the two systems treat retirement savers.

The implication: For a worker splitting time between the two countries or considering a move, the choice is not just about which age you collect — it’s about how much, under what conditions, and what happens to your spouse. The UK’s lack of means testing and earnings cap makes it more generous for savers with moderate assets, but Ireland’s higher headline rate (€277.30 vs £221.20) gives more cash in hand at the basic level.

Timeline: key state pension age changes

• 2010: UK State Pension age for women began rising from 60 to 65 (UK Government (Pensions Act 1995 implementation))
• 2020: UK State Pension age reached 66 for both men and women (UK Government)
• 2026–2028: Planned rise to 67 in UK (UK Government legislated timetable)
• 2044–2046: Planned rise to 68 in UK (UK Government legislation)
• 2024: Irish State Pension age remains 66 (Finnish Centre for Pensions)

The direction of travel: The UK is clearly raising the retirement bar, with two further increases already in law. Ireland, by contrast, has held steady at 66 — and while discussions about a future rise happen, no legislation has been introduced. The gap between the two countries’ pension ages will widen to at least one year by 2028, and possibly two by 2046.

What’s confirmed and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

• UK State Pension age is currently 66 (UK Government).
• Irish State Pension age is 66 (Finnish Centre for Pensions).
• UK State Pension age will rise to 67 by 2028 (legislated) (UK Government).
• Maximum UK new State Pension (2024/25) is £221.20 per week (UK Government (rate page)).
• Maximum Irish Contributory State Pension (2024) is €277.30 per week (Citizens Information).
• Maximum Irish Non-Contributory State Pension (2024) is €266.00 per week (Citizens Information).

What remains unclear

• Whether the UK government will accelerate or delay the rise to 67 or 68 in future reviews (UK Government call for evidence).
• Whether Ireland’s government will propose a rise in the pension age in its next Programme for Government.
• Whether the Irish contributory pension’s calculation method will be reformed (the “aggregation” approach vs average contributions).
• The exact 2026 rates for both contributory and non-contributory Irish pensions (will be set in Budget 2026).
• The long-term trajectory of the UK State Pension age beyond the current legislated rises (UK Government call for evidence).

Expert perspectives

“The State Pension age is currently 66 and will increase to 67 by 2028.”

UK Government (official guidance)

“The state pension age in Ireland is 66, according to retirement-age comparisons published by the Finnish Centre for Pensions.”

Finnish Centre for Pensions (international comparison)

“The State Pension age review is conducted every few years to ensure fairness.”

UK Department for Work and Pensions (third review call for evidence)

The implication: The official sources are consistent: the UK’s age is moving; Ireland’s is stable. But the underlying fairness debate — how much should a 67-year-old work? — continues in both jurisdictions.

Summary: the trade-off between the two systems

For a worker deciding where to retire, the UK offers a non-means-tested, earnings-unlimited State Pension that gives you full flexibility to keep working or save freely. Ireland’s system pays a higher initial amount (€277.30 vs £221.20) but ties its non-contributory arm to a means test that penalises savings and moderate earnings. The UK’s scheduled age rises mean you’ll wait longer — 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046 — while Ireland’s 66 stays constant for now. For the Irish worker approaching retirement, the choice is clear: maximise PRSI contributions to secure the contributory pension and avoid the means test trap, or risk losing tens of euros per week on the non-contributory path.

Related reading: Government of the United Kingdom · Cash ISA Rachel Reeves – Reforms Savers Need to Know

For a closer look at how Ireland’s approach differs, see Irelands state pension age which details the country’s decision to keep the retirement age at 66.

Frequently asked questions