The age that people will be able to access UK state pensions has officially risen to 66 – and is set to rise.
The state pension, which is worth £175.20 a week, and is paid to anyone who has made 10 years’ worth of national insurance contributions over their lifetime.
Although life expectancy is increasing, the former pensions minister, Ros Altmann, said that the changes were failing to take into account differences in life expectancy across regions, social groups, and occupations.
“The most disadvantaged members of society tend to have the poorest health,” said Altmann.
“Many had hard manual working lives, which has taken its toll on their health. Therefore, using average life expectancy particularly disadvantages such workers, even if they have worked for 50 years or more.
“There has long been a strong case for considering a more flexible age range for starting state pension payments, and the pandemic has made this case even stronger. It could help many women and many who are seriously ill or need to care for loved ones, and I do hope the government will give this urgent consideration,” she added.
A spokesperson from Work and Pensions has said that the government will review the changes in six years’ time.
“Allowing early access to the state pension on a reduced basis could risk leaving people with an inadequate pension, while a universal state pension age provides simplicity and clarity, which helps people plan for their retirement.”