The State Pension age rise means people in England face a longer wait for a free bus pass from 2026 until 2028 – here is what the Department for Transport has confirmed
The government is implementing changes to the free bus pass eligibility age between 2026 and 2028. The state pension age increase means individuals seeking a free bus pass, among the gateway benefits linked to the state pension, will also be affected.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) adjustment means anyone celebrating their 66th birthday during the transition period will experience the impact. This results in an extended waiting time before becoming entitled to claim the State Pension.
It also creates a prolonged delay for residents in England to obtain a free bus pass. In a statement, the Department for Transport said: “Eligibility for an older person’s bus pass under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme is linked to State Pension age.
“This means eligibility will change in line with the increase in State Pension age from April.
“People born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961 will qualify at 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on their date of birth.
“There is a tool to check the date people become eligible for a bus pass at Check your State Pension age – GOV.UK, by entering their date of birth.”, reports Birmingham Live.
Individuals born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961 will attain their state pension age at 66 years plus a designated number of months between 6 May 2026 and 5 March 2028.
Those born within the period of April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961 will reach their state pension age at 66 years plus a specified number of additional months. From April 6, 2026, the state pension age rises to 67 for all individuals born on or after March 6, 1961.
The state pension isn’t issued automatically – you’ll be sent an invitation to claim your state pension approximately four months before reaching your state pension age. The invitation will be issued by The Pension Service.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter. Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here.
Follow us on X @LivECHONews or on Bluesky @liverpoolecho.co.uk – official Liverpool ECHO accounts – real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho – your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
Join the Liverpool ECHO Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community to receive the latest news straight to your phone by clicking here.
Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here.
