Age Concern England Director General Gordon Lishman said:

“Crucial decisions are currently being made which will affect the retirements of millions of people.  A complete overhaul of the pensions system is  urgently needed if future generations are to avoid poverty in later life but reform must not penalise the poorest.
 
“Increasing the state pension age would hit the most vulnerable. On average‚ male manual workers live to the age of just 71 and any increase in the state pension age would  force many of them to work for longer and sacrifice a large part of their retirement. 
 
“Compelling people to save into a private scheme must be considered very carefully.  Many low and modest paid workers simply do not earn enough to save and many don’t have access to an occupational or private pension.  If compulsion is introduced then it should be through the state pension system because it  would be fairer and carries less risk.
 
"Protecting the poorest and achieving fairness for ordinary working people must lie at the heart of pension reform - too many people have been failed by the current system for too long."

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