MPs will join a coalition of workers and campaigners on Tuesday to call on the UK Government to rule out any further increases in the State Pension age before the next general election. Unite maintains that the current State Pension age of 66 is already too high and is due to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028.
The planned rise to 67 has been in legislation since 2014, but there had been speculation earlier this year it would increase to 68 earlier than expected in the mid 2040s. However, in March, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride MP told the Commons that this move would not be decided until a new review is conducted two years after the next general election takes place in 2024.
However, campaigners are keen to see this ruled out completely and not just delayed. Irene Graham, from the Scottish Pensioners' Forum, said: “It’s important we defeat the Government’s plans to introduce 68 as the State Pension age for millions of workers aged 44 to 52.”
Ms graham continued: “We don’t want the Government to delay the decision, we want them to abandon it. It’s not too late for the Government to respect and value workers by reversing its plan to raise the State Pension age.
“Workers should not pay the price for Government incompetence and corporate greed.”
Caren Evans, Unite national officer for retired members, said: “Unless the Prime Minister completely rules out raising the State Pension age, I believe the odds are firmly in favour of a nasty surprise for middle-aged workers after the election if the Tories win.
“After 13 years of austerity and public sector cuts, the Tories can’t be trusted with your State Pension. That’s why we are demanding rock solid assurances from the Prime Minister ruling out any further rises.”
Jan Shortt, general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention, said: “Workers of today are the pensioners of tomorrow. Raising the retirement age when the health of the nation is at its worst is unacceptable.
“It would show a lack of commitment by the Government to tackle issues that impact adversely on older people.”
A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners, and the full rate of the New State Pension is more than £10,000 per year for the very first time, while the Basic State Pension is over £3,050 a year higher than in 2010.
“The Government remains committed to the principle of providing 10 years notice of changes to State Pension age, enabling people to plan effectively for retirement.”
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has suggested that the cost to the Exchequer of not introducing a rise in the state pension age from 67 to 68 from the late 2030s could be around £8 billion to £9 billion per year.
You can find out when you will be able to retire using the online tool at GOV.UK here.
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