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Andrew Harrop‚ Head of Policy for Age Concern and Help the Aged‚ said:

“The Tories’ plan to bring forward the increase to the state pension age will be a big shock to many people planning their retirement especially those in their mid-50s.

“It is also contradictory to be talking about raising the state pension age while leaving in place the Default Retirement Age‚ which allows employers to force workers to retire at 65. People should be encouraged‚ not forced to work longer. The first step towards this is to scrap the Default Retirement Age.
 
“Given the impact the recession had on pensions and savings‚ it’s even more important for workers to be able to plan their retirement in advance. Coming at such a short notice‚ the Tories’ plans will disrupt many workers’ legitimate expectations about their retirement.

“Fast-tracking the increase to the state pension age will hit women and poorest among workers the hardest. It will also foreshorten the retirements of those living in areas where health inequalities are highest and life expectancy is lowest¹.

“While we are relieved the Shadow Chancellor has reassured that any increase to age 66 for women would not take place until 2020‚ this still means there are women in their 50s who started their working life expecting to draw a state pension at 60 who may now need to work until 66.

“Legislation to increase state pension was only passed in 2007 after extensive debate. Any move to increase state pension age more quickly must be part of a wider strategy including a review of the basic state pension and a commitment to end pensioner poverty.”

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

Age Concern England and Help the Aged have joined together to form a single charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people.

1. Life expectancy for men aged 65 in Kensington and Chelsea is 22.7 years while for those in Glasgow City it is just 13.8.

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