The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 makes changes that impact on the existing State pension provisions.
In particular, for new claimants the State pension (transition) will be discontinued with effect from 1st January, 2014. As a result there will be a standard State pension age of 66 years for everyone from 1st January, 2014.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 also provides for an increase in the age for qualification for the State pension from 66 years to 67 years from 2021 and a further increase to 68 years from 2028.