Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026. The Chancellor could change some of these rules. We will re-check this page in the week after the Budget and update the date below.
In 30 seconds
- 28 October 2026: Autumn Budget.
- 6 April 2027: most pensions count for inheritance tax; cash ISA limit falls to £12,000 for under-65s; savings tax up 2 points.
- 6 March 2028: State Pension age reaches 67.
- 6 April 2028: earliest private pension age rises to 57.
- 6 April 2029: salary sacrifice National Insurance saving capped at £2,000.
Key figures
The timeline
Every confirmed change to UK pensions, ISAs and the State Pension from now to the 2040s, in date order. The next one coming up is highlighted.
- in 20 daysAutumn BudgetThe Chancellor's Budget. Pension, ISA and inheritance tax rules could change, and the State Pension rise for April 2027 is usually confirmed. We re-check every page that week.
- in 6 monthsPensions enter inheritance taxFor deaths from this date, most unused pension funds and death benefits count towards the estate for inheritance tax. Spouses and civil partners stay exempt.
- in 6 monthsCash ISA limit falls to £12,000Under-65s can put only £12,000 of the £20,000 ISA allowance into cash. Tax on savings interest outside ISAs rises to 22%, 42% and 47%.
- in 17 monthsState Pension age reaches 67People born on or after 6 March 1961 reach State Pension age at 67. Those born between April 1960 and March 1961 reach it between 66 and 67.
- in 18 monthsPrivate pensions from 57, not 55The normal minimum pension age rises from 55 to 57. Some people keep a lower protected pension age under their scheme rules.
- in 30 monthsSalary sacrifice cappedOnly the first £2,000 a year of pension contributions through salary sacrifice stays free of National Insurance. Income tax relief is unchanged.
- in about 18 yearsState Pension age starts rising to 68Under current law, people born after 5 April 1977 reach State Pension age between 67 and 68 from 2044 to 2046, and 68 if born from 6 April 1978. A future review could change this.
28 October 2026: the Autumn Budget
The Budget is the one day each year when most tax rules can change. For pensions, three things usually happen on or around Budget day:
- the State Pension rise for the next April is confirmed under the triple lock;
- tax thresholds are confirmed, extended or changed;
- new pension or ISA rules may be announced, often starting a year or more later.
Nothing announced on the day changes your pension straight away unless the Chancellor says so. Be wary of anyone urging you to move money "before the Budget". We re-check every page on this site the week after.
6 April 2027: three changes on one day
Pensions count for inheritance tax
For deaths from 6 April 2027, most unused pension pots and pension death benefits count towards your estate for inheritance tax. Pensions left to a spouse or civil partner stay exempt, and so do death-in-service lump sums. Most estates still won't pay anything, but larger ones may pay much more. Read the full guide or try the calculator.
The cash ISA limit falls to £12,000 for under-65s
The overall ISA allowance stays at £20,000, but under-65s can put only £12,000 of it into cash. Transfers from stocks and shares ISAs into cash ISAs are blocked for under-65s. Read the guide.
Tax on savings interest rises
Outside ISAs and pensions, savings interest is taxed at 22% (basic rate), 42% (higher) and 47% (additional), each up two points. The Personal Savings Allowance stays at £1,000 for basic-rate and £500 for higher-rate taxpayers.
6 March 2028: State Pension age reaches 67
The State Pension age has been rising month by month since April 2026. Everyone born on or after 6 March 1961 reaches it at 67, so the first people to wait until exactly 67 do so from 6 March 2028. Check your date.
6 April 2028: private pensions from 57
The earliest age you can usually take money from a personal or workplace pension rises from 55 to 57. Some people keep a lower "protected pension age" because of their scheme rules. If you are 55 or 56 on that date and have not started taking your pension, you will normally have to wait. Read the guide.
6 April 2029: salary sacrifice capped
Only the first £2,000 a year of pension contributions made through salary sacrifice stays free of National Insurance. You still get income tax relief on everything. See who is affected.
2044 to 2046: State Pension age rises to 68
Under current law, State Pension age rises from 67 to 68 for people born after 5 April 1977. The government reviews the timetable regularly, so this could be brought forward, delayed or changed. If you are in your forties, plan around 68 but check again every few years.
Frozen until 2031
Some numbers are not changing, and that matters too. The Personal Allowance (£12,570) and the inheritance tax nil-rate bands (£325,000 and £175,000) are frozen until April 2031. As incomes and prices rise, more people pay tax, and the full State Pension is now only about £22 a year below the Personal Allowance.
Common questions
Will the Budget on 28 October 2026 change these dates?
It could. Budgets can change, delay or add rules. We update this timeline the week after every Budget.
Do I need to do anything before April 2027?
Not necessarily. It depends on your situation. The two changes most likely to matter are inheritance tax on pensions, if your estate could be above the allowances, and the cash ISA limit, if you are under 65 and save large amounts in cash.
Sources
This guide is general information, not personal financial advice. Rules can change and your situation may differ. For free, impartial help, contact MoneyHelper, or speak to a regulated financial adviser.
