Last updated: 14 October 2026
When will a 42-year-old woman be able to claim her State Pension?
A woman who is 42 in 2026 was born in 1983 or 1984. Under current law, her State Pension age is 68, because the rise from 67 to 68 is legislated to happen between 2044 and 2046 for people born on or after 6 April 1977. She would reach 68 in 2051 or 2052. The government has reviewed the timetable and may bring the rise to 68 forward, so check gov.uk’s “Check your State Pension age” tool for your exact date, and recheck it every few years.
State Pension age by date of birth (current law)
| Born | State Pension age |
| 6 October 1954 to 5 April 1960 | 66 |
| 6 April 1960 to 5 March 1961 | Between 66 and 67 (phased) |
| 6 March 1961 to 5 April 1977 | 67 |
| 6 April 1977 to 5 April 1978 | Between 67 and 68 (phased) |
| On or after 6 April 1978 | 68 |
Men and women now have the same State Pension age.
How much she could get
The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week in 2026/27. She needs 35 qualifying years of National Insurance for the full amount and at least 10 for any. Years count if she worked, was self-employed and paid Class 2 or Class 4, received National Insurance credits (for example while claiming Child Benefit for a child under 12, or Carer’s Allowance), or paid voluntary Class 3 contributions.
Checking her record
- Get a State Pension forecast in the HMRC app or on gov.uk
2. Look for gaps in her National Insurance record
3. Check whether Child Benefit was claimed for each child, because it gives credits for years at home
4. Consider voluntary contributions for recent gaps (Class 3 is £18.40 a week)
Example
Sarah is 42 and has 20 qualifying years. If she works for another 15 years before age 57, she’ll reach 35 and get the full amount at 68. If she takes a career break with no credits, she can pay voluntary contributions later to fill gaps from the previous 6 years.
Private pension access
Private and workplace pensions can be accessed earlier than the State Pension. The normal minimum pension age is rising from 55 to 57 on 6 April 2028. For someone aged 42 now, that means 57 at the earliest, unless her scheme has a protected lower age.
Planning tips
- Consider a workplace pension with employer contributions, which also gets tax relief
- Claim Child Benefit even if you or your partner earn over £60,000, to protect your NI credits (you can opt out of payments)
- Keep your forecast up to date
Living or working abroad
Years spent working abroad may count towards the State Pension if you pay voluntary contributions while away. Check before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
Can State Pension age change again?
Yes. Reviews are required by law.
Can I get the State Pension early?
No, there’s no early claiming.
Do I need to claim it?
Yes, it isn’t paid automatically.
Does a divorce affect it?
Pensions can be shared on divorce, but this needs a court order.
Related: paying tax on your State Pension and National Insurance explained.
Talk to Accotax
Want this handled for you? Our team at Accotax can help with State Pension planning. See our personal tax accountants service, or contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.
This page is general guidance based on HMRC rules for the 2026/27 tax year, checked against gov.uk on 14 October 2026. It is not personal advice, so speak to an accountant about your own situation.
