State pension age for women is in the process of being increased from 60 to 65. It started in 2010 and will end in 2018. From then on it will increase for both genders as follows:
From 65 to 66 between 2018 and 2020.
From 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028.
And from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
There is legislation concerning the increases from 65 to 66 and 66 to 67, so they are written in stone and shouldn’t change. But the change from 67 to 68 isn’t, and there are proposals to bring that forward by 10 years.
The change in state pension age will also affect the earliest age it will be possible to access any other pension you may have like the RMPP or the RMDCP. Because the plan is increase the age of access from 55 to 57 in 2028 and then link it to 10 years below state pension age from then on.
However there is currently a review going on which is due to conclude midway through 2017 which could change things. There will also be further reviews every 5 years going forwards
Personally I’m late 40’s and have seen my SPA increase from 65 to 66.2 and now to 67, and it may well rise again to 68! But many people in their twenties or younger are likely to have to wait until at least 70.
My advice would be to take your retirement saving seriously and from as young an age as possible. Put as much aside as you can afford and take advantage of all the ‘free money’ available to you. So always join any company pension you might have access to and at the very least pay in as much as it takes to get the maximum employer contribution, but preferably more. Give yourself the best chance possible of retiring earlier than state pension age.