Those approaching retirement could see some benefit payment stops once they reach state pension age as they will no longer be entitled to the monthly payment.

State pension age is currently 66 for both men and women, however, a gradual rise to 67, and then 68 has been planned within the next 20 years.

Britons can check their state pension age on the Government website so they can plan towards their retirement to ensure they have enough income to suit their lifestyle.

Around 12.6 million people across Great Britain receive a state pension for financial support every four weeks.

The full new state pension is worth up to £203.85 per week, whilst the basic state pension (Category A or B) is worth up to £156.20 per week.

For anyone approaching the official age of retirement this year, it is essential to know which benefits will continue, new ones they may now qualify for and those they can no longer make a new claim for.

There will be a gradual state pension age rise to 67 for those born on or after April 1960. It will take place between 2026 and 2028, the Daily Record reports.

A further rise to 68 is planned between 2044 and 2046, however, this has been the subject of much speculation that it may happen sooner - at least 10 years notice is required before any changes can be made.

An individual's state pension age is the same as their Pension Credit age unless they are a man born before December 6, 1953. People can check their Pension Credit age on the 'Check your State Pension age' page of the Government website.

Benefits affected by one's pension age

Turn2us has created an essential guide to the benefits people cannot claim from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) when they reach state pension age or pension credit age. For full details on each of the topics listed below, Britons can visit the Turn2us website.

Pension Credit age

When one reaches state pension age they can no longer claim:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Universal Credit

Turn2us advises: "If you live with a partner and one of you is pension age and the other is not yet pension age, benefit entitlement can be complicated."

People can use a benefit calculator to see what benefits they’re entitled to, or get help from a benefits adviser.

State Pension age

When one reaches state pension age, they can no longer claim:

• Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Contributory/New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

People cannot make a new claim for:

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Adult Disability Payment (ADP) - the new devolved disability benefit which is replacing PIP for people in Scotland - once they have reached state pension age.

However, if they were already receiving DLA, PIP, or ADP they can renew the claim even though they are over state pension age.

This can only be done as long as someone is claiming for the same health conditions that they received the award for and their last claim ended less than 12 months before they reached state pension age.

The DWP has said that DLA claimants who were born before April 8, 1948 will not be transferred to PIP, however, those born after that date will be.

People living in Scotland currently receiving DLA or PIP will be transferred to the new devolved Social Security Scotland system before the end of 2025.

It's worth noting that 25 percent of claims for ADP up until January 2023 were made by people aged between 55 and 64.

Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance are also not available once people reach state pension age.

Benefits not affected by ones state pension age

Britons can claim these benefits even if they are over state pension age:

• Child Benefit (delivered by HMRC)
• Carer’s Allowance - you may not be eligible for the full financial element depending on your income from State Pension
• Guardian’s Allowance
• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

People can also claim these benefits even if they are over state pension age, but only if they meet the benefit-specific income threshold:

• Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Support
• Support for Mortgage Interest
• Working Tax Credit (HMRC) - you can't make new claims for this, but if you're already getting it you can carry on receiving it
• Child Tax Credit (HMRC)- you can't make new claims for this, but if you're already getting it you can carry on receiving it
• Help with Health Costs
• Cold Weather Payment - now replaced by new £50 payment in Scotland
• Warm Home Discount Scheme
• Winter Fuel Payment

For more details about benefits when one reaches state pension age, they can visit the Turn2Us website.