Free bus pass age change for state pensioners starts on November 6
EXCLUSIVE: A law change will affect free travel for older people.
Free bus pass eligibility for state pensioners in England will be hit with a new rule in November following a law change.
The State Pension age in the UK is in the process of rising from 66 to 67, with the change being implemented in phases over a two-year period. The process began on earlier this year in April and is due to complete in 2028, with the change affecting anyone born after April 6, 1960. The age rise means older adults who have a 66th birthday that falls within the two-year transitional period will not officially reach State Pension age until they are 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on when their birthday falls. This delay not only affects when people become eligible to claim their State Pension, but it also impacts eligibility for other State Pension age-related benefits too - including a free bus pass in England.
The law means older adults cannot claim their free bus pass until they are 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on their birth date, meaning some will be closer to age 67 by the time they become eligible.
If you live in a London borough, you can apply for a 60+ London Oyster photocard that allows you to travel free on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail lines in the capital. You'll need to pay a £36 administration fee to set it up, plus an £18.50 annual address eligibility check fee for each year you have your photocard to keep it active, but once you reach State Pension age, you can then switch to the free Older Person’s Freedom Pass.
The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed to The Express that eligibility for a free bus pass is changing in line with the State Pension age increase, with the next phase underway from this month, affecting anyone born between November 6, 1960, and December 5, 1960.
According to the DWP timetable, pensioners due to turn 66 between these dates face an extra eight-month wait before they can claim their State Pension, and in turn, their free bus pass.
For example, if you were born on November 6, 1960, the age increase means you will become eligible to claim both your State Pension and free bus pass on July 6, 2026, when you are exactly 66 years and eight 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 December 6 face an extra nine-month wait, while those turning 66 in the month from December 6 face an extra ten-month wait, and so on until the age rise to 67 is complete. 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:
April 6,1960 – May 5, 1960: 66 years and 1 month
May 6, 1960 – June 5, 1960: 66 years and 2 months
June 6, 1960 – July 5, 1960: 66 years and 3 months
July 6, 1960 – August 5, 1960: 66 years and 4 months
August 6, 1960 – September 5, 1960: 66 years and 5 months
September 6, 1960 – October 5, 1960: 66 years and 6 months
October 6, 1960 – November 5, 1960: 66 years and 7 months
November 6, 1960 – December 5, 1960: 66 years and 8 months
December 6, 1960 – January 5, 1961: 66 years and 9 months
January 6, 1961 – February 5, 1961: 66 years and 10 months
February 6, 1961 – March 5, 1961: 66 years and 11 months
March 6, 1961 – April 5, 1977: 67 years
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."
