Free bus pass age change underway in July for state pensioners in England | Personal Finance | Finance

A new rule affecting free bus pass eligibility for state pensioners in England is underway in July following a law change that started in April.

The State Pension age in the UK is currently in the process of rising from age 66 to 67, with the gradual change beginning on April 6. The age increase is being implemented in phases over a two-year period which is due to complete in 2028, affecting anyone born after April 6, 1960. The change means that people who have a 66th birthday that falls within the transitionary period not only face a longer wait to become eligible to claim the State Pension, but those in England also face a delay as to when they can get a free bus pass. Eligibility for a free bus pass in England is linked to State Pension age, unless you live in London, in which case you can get free travel on buses, trains and other modes of transport in and around the capital from age 60 and over.

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, with the next phase of the age increase beginning this month affecting anyone born between July 6, 1960, and August 5, 1960.

According to the DWP timetable, pensioners due to turn 66 between these dates face an extra four-month wait before they can claim their State Pension, and in turn, their free bus pass.

For example, if you were born on July 6, 1960, the age increase means you will become eligible to claim both your State Pension and free bus pass on November 6, 2026, when you are 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.

“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.”

State Pension eligibility becomes further delayed the later in the year your 66th birthday falls, increasing by one month each time.

It means those turning 66 in the month from August 6 face an extra five-month wait, while those turning 66 in the month from September 6 face an extra six-month wait, and so on until the age rise to 67 is complete.

As such, some people will be closer to age 66 when they can get their free bus pass, while others will be only a month or two away from their 67th birthday by the time they become eligible. Anyone with a birthday after March 5, 1961, will be eligible for a free bus in England from age 67.

The DWP has confirmed the following timetable for the increase in State Pension age from 66 to 67, which shows when people with birthdays between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961 can claim their State Pension, and in turn, their free bus pass in England:

The DWP said: “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 people born after 5 April 1969 but before 6 April 1977, under the Pensions Act 2007, State Pension age was already 67.”