A new rule affecting free bus pass eligibility for state pensioners in England is underway in July, following a law change that began in April. The State Pension age in the UK is currently rising from 66 to 67, implemented in phases over a two-year period due to complete in 2028. This affects anyone born after April 6, 1960.
How the Change Affects Eligibility
The age increase means that people who have a 66th birthday during the transitionary period face a longer wait to claim the State Pension and, for those in England, a delay in obtaining a free bus pass. Eligibility for a free bus pass in England is linked to State Pension age, except in London where free travel on buses, trains, and other transport is available from age 60.
The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed to The Express that eligibility for a free bus pass will change in line with the increase in State Pension age. The next phase begins this month, affecting anyone born between July 6, 1960, and August 5, 1960.
Specific Delays by Birth Date
According to the DWP timetable, pensioners turning 66 between these dates face an extra four-month wait before claiming their State Pension and free bus pass. For example, someone born on July 6, 1960, becomes eligible on November 6, 2026, at exactly 66 years and four months old.
A DfT spokesperson told The Express: “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 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will qualify at 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on their date of birth.”
Gradual Increase in Waiting Time
State Pension eligibility becomes further delayed the later in the year a 66th birthday falls, increasing by one month each time. Those turning 66 from August 6 face an extra five-month wait, from September 6 an extra six months, and so on until the age rise to 67 is complete. Consequently, some people will be closer to age 66 when eligible, while others will be near their 67th birthday.
Anyone with a birthday after March 5, 1961, will be eligible for a free bus pass in England from age 67.
Full Timetable for State Pension and Bus Pass Eligibility
The DWP confirmed the following timetable for the increase from 66 to 67, showing when people with birthdays between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961, can claim their State Pension and free bus pass:
- April 6, 1960 – May 5, 1960: 66 years and 1 month
- May 6, 1960 – June 5, 1960: 66 years and 2 months
- June 6, 1960 – July 5, 1960: 66 years and 3 months
- July 6, 1960 – August 5, 1960: 66 years and 4 months
- August 6, 1960 – September 5, 1960: 66 years and 5 months
- September 6, 1960 – October 5, 1960: 66 years and 6 months
- October 6, 1960 – November 5, 1960: 66 years and 7 months
- November 6, 1960 – December 5, 1960: 66 years and 8 months
- December 6, 1960 – January 5, 1961: 66 years and 9 months
- January 6, 1961 – February 5, 1961: 66 years and 10 months
- February 6, 1961 – March 5, 1961: 66 years and 11 months
- March 6, 1961 – April 5, 1977: 67 years
The DWP stated: “The Pensions Act 2014 brought the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 forward by eight years. The State Pension age for men and women will now increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028. The Government also changed the way in which the increase in State Pension age is phased so that rather than reaching State Pension age on a specific date, people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will reach their State Pension age at 66 years and the specified number of months.” For those born after April 5, 1969, but before April 6, 1977, State Pension age was already 67 under the Pensions Act 2007.
