A top DWP minister spoke about an upcoming review of the state pension
A senior DWP minister has provided an update to MPs on an upcoming review of the state pension age. The qualifying age for the state pension is currently rising from 66 to 67, with further plans to increase it from 67 to 68.
The transition from 66 to 67 is scheduled between April 2026 and April 2028, with a timetable set for the move from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. However, Labour announced in 2025 that there would be a third independent review of the state pension age policy.
The most recent Government-commissioned review was published in 2023, with its report recommending bringing forward the shift from 67 to 68. The forthcoming review will be conducted by Dr Suzy Morrissey and will examine a number of key areas.
The study will consider the merits of linking the state pension age to life expectancy, as well as the concept of having automatic mechanisms for determining the state pension age, and how such a system has functioned in other countries. Under the 2014 Pensions Act, the Government is obliged to carry out a review of the state pension age and publish its findings in a report every six years.
As the last review was published in March 2023, the next report must be completed by March 2029.
‘Built into the process’
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden was questioned by the Work and Pensions Committee on Wednesday, June 17 about whether the next review is on course to meet the March 2029 deadline. He told the committee: “There are periodic reviews of this built into the process.
“The state pension age has been rising in the last couple of decades. I don’t want to pre-empt anything but that review is built into the process. That is the timescale. I have no changes to announce on that here this morning.”
Committee member Damien Egan told Mr McFadden that the group had spoken with individuals in their 60s nearing retirement, who were being impacted by the rise from 66 to 67. He explained that some policy advocates have argued that the most disadvantaged within this demographic should receive “additional support”, through extra social benefits.
He highlighted figures showing that half of those aged 60 to 66 in the lowest income groups are “already frail” and may find it difficult to remain employed. Mr McFadden responded with an upbeat perspective.
He said: “I’m an optimist about growing older. I hope people see a productive working life well up in years. The increase in the state pension age has been accompanied by increasing rates of employment in people close to state retirement age.”
‘It can feel very different’
However, he recognised that experiences vary, citing the case of older residents in his Wolverhampton South East constituency. The minister said: “That’s one part of the story.
“But you’re right, there’s another part of the story, where being 67 or 68 years old can feel very different in different parts of the country. I represent a working class Black Country constituency with a tradition of physical work.
“I know that it can feel quite different for somebody to be 67 or 68 in my constituency compared to leafier parts of the country. So we have to bear this in mind, and consider all these aspects when thinking about the state pension age in the future, so we have a system that’s fair to everyone, is sustainable financially and does the best job it can to give people security in retirement.”
