There were calls for the WASPI women to get up to £3,000 each in compensation
The WASPI women still have a chance of securing compensation from the DWP, a retirement expert has said. This development comes shortly after the campaign group issued a letter demanding Government action and warning of potential further legal proceedings.
WASPI campaigners (Women Against State Pension Inequality) represent women born in the 1950s who were affected by the rise in state pension age from 60 to 65, and subsequently to 66. They argue the DWP failed to provide sufficient notice of these changes, leaving many completely unaware until the eleventh hour, devastating their retirement plans. The campaign has been running for more than a decade, attracting backing from numerous MPs and several political parties. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman previously looked into the matter and found the DWP had made significant errors and should have contacted the women earlier.
The watchdog recommended compensation payments ranging from £1,000 to £2,950. However, Labour ministers announced in January 2025 there would be no compensation, claiming most women were aware of the changes and that earlier correspondence would have made little difference.
WASPI has now sent a letter to the DWP, threatening judicial review proceedings and giving officials 14 days to respond. Hannah Martin, pensions specialist and founder of Rich Retiree, said: “While I’m not a legal expert, I do know not to underestimate a determined, angry group of women.
“The WASPI campaign has confirmed that their legal team is intending to highlight ‘legal errors’ in the Government’s decision-making, and they will give them 14 days to respond. Campaigners have suggested they are prepared to take the issue all the way to the High Court if necessary. This battle is a long way from over.”
Public backing for the WASPI movement remains strong, with support from political parties such as the Liberal Democrats, the SNP and the Greens. Ms Martin believes the WASPI controversy will remain a hotly debated issue for some time.
How much could WASPI compensation be?
She explained: “Given that it impacts 3.6 million women, and they are justifiably feeling hard done-by and angry, this is not going to go away quietly. It also touches on a number of sensitive topics, including pensions, cost of living, gender disparities and trust in the Government, which gain them sympathy from other groups struggling with similar issues.
“It’s an easy cause for any party or politician looking to win over an influential section of the voting population.” Regarding the level of compensation these women deserve, the specialist said this remains a complex matter to resolve.
Ms Martin said: “How much compensation should be paid is a hard call, as the financial impact is not the same for every woman. Whilst a flat payment would be simpler to administer, there could be some women who are still left out of pocket, whereas others receive more than they lost. Some kind of simplified graduated scheme would be fairer.”
