Government rejects calls to lower State Pension age

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 12:02 · Archive

The Government has rejected a petition with 16,749 signatures calling for a lower State Pension age to create jobs for younger adults.

The Government has rejected calls to lower the State Pension age in response to a petition that attracted 16,749 signatures. The campaign, created by Helen Grice, argues that if older workers were able to retire earlier, it would free up jobs for young adults struggling to find employment and allow workers who have worked throughout their lives to enjoy their retirement.

The Department for Work and Pensions said in its response, published on 12 October, that the Government has no plans to lower the State Pension age. Ministers have defended the current approach by pointing to rising life expectancy and the financial challenges of supporting an ageing population. The Government said that men aged 66 in the UK in 2026 could expect to live another 19.3 years on average, while women of the same age could expect a further 21.9 years.

The DWP stated that State Pension age policy must reflect the fact that people are living longer, with some increases necessary to maintain fairness between generations, protect public finances and ensure the State Pension remains sustainable. The response comes as the Government's Third State Pension age Review gets underway.

How it is being reported

• DWP State Pension Age row takes new turn as Government responds to campaignState Pension age verdict as Government rejects calls to let older workers retire earlier - but there is still time to push for parliamentary debateMalvern Gazette · 13 Oct, 11:32
• DWP State Pension Age row takes new turn as Government responds to campaignState Pension age verdict as Government rejects calls to let older workers retire earlier - but there is still time to push for parliamentary debateWorcester News · 13 Oct, 11:32

In this story: Helen Grice · Department for Work and Pensions · UK

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