Free bus pass change linked to rising State Pension age

The change affects people in England whose eligibility for an older person's bus pass is tied directly to the State Pension age.

As the Government begins the next phase of increasing the State Pension age from 66 to 67, some people turning 66 this year will no longer automatically qualify for a free bus pass on their birthday.

Instead, they may have to wait several extra months before becoming eligible.

Who is affected this month?

• October 6 1960 – November 5 1960

They will need to be 66 years and 7 months old before they can claim their State Pension and qualify for a free bus pass in England.

For the purposes of calculating an individual’s State Pension age, gov.uk says the following applies:

1. A person born on July 31 1960 is considered to reach the age of 66 years and 4 months on November 30 2026.
2. A person born on December 31 1960 is considered to reach the age of 66 years and 9 months on September 30 2027.
3. A person born on January 31 1961 is considered to reach the age of 66 years and 10 months on November 30 2027.

Bus passengers have longer to wait as the State Pension age rises from 66 to 67. (Image: surachet_shotivaranon)

What the Government says

GOV.UK states: "There are 2 broad categories of people eligible for a statutory concession – older people and eligible disabled people. 

"Both men and women are eligible for concessionary travel in England when they reach state pension age."

There is an online tool allowing people to check exactly when they become eligible.

Why the rules are changing

The increase stems from legislation that raises the State Pension age from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

The Department for Work and Pensions explains: "The Pensions Act 2014 brought the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 forward by eight years."

The department added: "The State Pension age for men and women will now increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028."

Full list of free bus pass eligibility ages

People born within the following dates will become eligible for a State Pension and free bus pass at these ages:

• 6 August 1960 – 5 September 1960: 66 years and 5 months
• 6 September 1960 – 5 October 1960: 66 years and 6 months
• 6 October 1960 – 5 November 1960: 66 years and 7 months
• 6 November 1960 – 5 December 1960: 66 years and 8 months
• 6 December 1960 – 5 January 1961: 66 years and 9 months
• 6 January 1961 – 5 February 1961: 66 years and 10 months
• 6 February 1961 – 5 March 1961: 66 years and 11 months
• 6 March 1961 – 5 April 1977: 67 years

Recommended reading:

• Government faces call to cut DWP State Pension age to 65 for everyone
• DWP targets people with autism, ADHD and dyslexia in new push to get more into work
• Pensioners hoping for £14,500 State Pension get major DWP response

The exceptions to the rule

The changes do not apply everywhere, even in England.

People living in London and Merseyside can still access free travel through local concessionary schemes from age 60, depending on eligibility rules, meaning they are not affected in the same way as residents elsewhere in England.

For others, the age at which a free bus pass becomes available is now gradually increasing alongside the State Pension age, meaning thousands will have to wait longer before they can start travelling for free.