Work & incomeUnited Kingdom
Retirement age (men) in United Kingdom
When does the state let a man retire on a full pension?
United Kingdom's retirement age (men) is 66 years — #42 of 49 countries on the atlas (lower is better). Period 2024.
66years old
Source: OECD Pensions at a Glance — current normal retirement age (DF_DPS, CRPLF22)
A man with a full career in United Kingdom reaches a full pension at 66.
Among 49 countries
- Rank
- #42 of 49
- lower is better
- Ranked behind
- 14 %
- 7 of 49 countries
In Europe: #26 of 30vs median 65 years: +2 % (worse)
The neighbourhood
| # | Country | Retirement age (men) | vs United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Sweden | 66 years | — |
| 41 | Ireland | 66 years | — |
| 42 | United Kingdom | 66 years | — |
| 43 | Germany | 66.2 years | +0.2 years |
| 44 | United States | 66.7 years | +0.7 years |
Current normal retirement age for men — the age a full-career worker entering at 22 can draw a full pension (OECD Pensions at a Glance). 49 countries.
How to read this figure
The current NORMAL retirement age for men (OECD Pensions at a Glance): the age at which a worker who entered the labour force at 22 and worked a full career can draw a full mandatory pension. Early-retirement routes, penalties and future legislated increases are not in this number — France’s 64.3 is the post-2023-reform trajectory value, and several countries have rises already written into law. It answers "when does the state pay", not "when do people actually stop working".