Around 26,000 unpaid carers across the UK could be missing out on a combined £182million as a result of the increase in the state pension age. The state pension age marks the earliest opportunity to start receiving state pension and other pension-age benefits from the DWP.

For unpaid carers, this means waiting an additional year before they can access the pension-age versions of their existing carer benefits. Carers UK estimates this could create a shortfall of roughly £7,011 during the extra year they must wait. An estimated 26,000 carers who cannot work because of their caring duties will encounter this prolonged wait. This represents approximately £134.82 per week they’ll lose compared to unpaid carers who have already reached state pension age.

Analysis by Carers UK found that before reaching state pension age, unpaid carers may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit Carer Element totalling around £136.68 per week. Yet, once they reach state pension age, they could become eligible for Pension Credit Carer Addition worth around £273.50 per week.

The charity also warned this could disproportionately affect women, who makeup 63% of those aged between 60 and 66 receiving Carer’s Allowance.

Carers UK is calling for a review of Carers Allowance to guarantee it meets carers’ requirements. It also suggests that carers should receive an enhanced payment at least two years before retirement to reduce the impact of poverty in later life.

Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, stated: “Thousands of unpaid carers provide essential support to family and friends long before reaching pension age. As one of the most under-pensioned groups in the UK, many have little choice but to care due to limited alternative support.

“We must ensure carers are properly supported as they approach retirement, particularly given the new rise in the State Pension age. This change means that those nearing retirement age will lose out significantly, especially women, who makeup the majority of those affected.

“It is vital that Carer’s Allowance is reviewed and strengthened, including enhanced support in the years before reaching pension age, so that those who dedicate their time to look after others are not left in poverty.”

Carers UK says the state pension age will increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

People born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will be directly impacted by the phased increase in state pension age. Those born during this timeframe will reach state pension age after their 66th birthday but before their 67th birthday.

The date they reach state pension age will depend on their exact date of birth. Everyone born after 5 March 1961 will reach state pension age when they turn 67.

People born after 6 April 1978 are expected to face an even higher state pension age of 68 as the state pension age is set to rise again around 2044.

The government has defended increasing the state pension age. From time to time, it is reviewed as assessments are made of life expectancy and other factors, government paperwork shows.