Story perspectives

UK Delays Free Bus Pass for 66-Year-Olds Until 67

By Drooid · Oct 4, 2026, 4:42 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The UK government will delay free bus-pass eligibility for 66-year-olds as the State Pension age rises to 67.
People born 6 Oct 1960–5 Nov 1960 must wait until age 66 years 7 months to qualify.
Eligibility ages increase monthly for births 6 Aug 1960–5 Apr 1977, reaching 67 years for later dates.
London and Merseyside residents keep free travel from age 60 under local schemes.
The Pensions Act 2014 sped up the pension-age rise from 66 to 67 by eight years.

History

Historical Context

The 1995 Pensions Act set a timetable to equalise men’s and women’s state pension age at 65, a target later accelerated by the 2007 Act so the age reached 66 in October 2020. Today the government’s postponement of free bus-pass eligibility for 66-year-olds echoes that staggered rollout, pressuring local schemes in London and Merseyside.

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Story summary

The UK government will delay free bus-pass eligibility for 66-year-olds as the State Pension age rises to 67.
People born 6 Oct 1960–5 Nov 1960 must wait until age 66 years 7 months to qualify.
Eligibility ages increase monthly for births 6 Aug 1960–5 Apr 1977, reaching 67 years for later dates.
London and Merseyside residents keep free travel from age 60 under local schemes.
The Pensions Act 2014 sped up the pension-age rise from 66 to 67 by eight years.

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