The UK government has rejected calls to lower the State Pension age to 65, despite growing public support for the change. The decision comes as a new review examines future retirement ages and mounting concerns over financial hardship among older workers.
Petition Gains Momentum as Retirement Age Rises
According to Express, a parliamentary petition launched by Michelle Gill has attracted approximately 80,000 signatures, prompting an official response from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The campaign comes as the State Pension age gradually increases from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and April 2028.
The petition states:
“Reduce the state pension age to 65. We believe this could mean people can retire with dignity and avoid hardship. We also think it could free up jobs for younger workers entering the labour market.”
It adds: “Many aged 65-67 face poor health, caring pressures, and limited work options, which we think is unfair.”
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Health Inequalities Raise Questions Over Retirement Policy
The Work and Pensions Committee has warned that raising the retirement age could disproportionately affect people with poor health or limited employment opportunities.
A report published this summer noted:
“These include: an increase in the percentage of people aged 60 to 64 reporting a work-limiting health condition (from 28% to 31%). And healthy life expectancy at birth – an indicator of changes in population health – fell by two years over the decade to 2024, with inequalities between the least and most deprived areas widening. In England, it is highest in Richmond upon Thames, where people can expect to live 70 years in good health, and lowest in Blackpool and Hartlepool, at around 51.”
The committee also found that the previous increase from 65 to 66 more than doubled income poverty among 65-year-olds, raising concerns about the next scheduled increase.
MPs Call for Greater Financial Protection
The committee has proposed additional financial support for people approaching retirement who cannot continue working.
It stated: “The government must not just allow that to happen. We heard an increase in the level of Universal Credit in the year before State Pension age would cost £600 million a year, a small proportion of the significant savings-£10.5 billion a year once the State Pension age is 67, compared to if it had stayed at 66.”
Without additional assistance, some older people could face prolonged reliance on Universal Credit, with standard monthly payments of approximately £425.
DWP Rejects Age Reduction but Confirms Review
The DWP stated in response to the petition: “There are no plans to reduce State Pension age to 65. We are fortunate today that more people are reaching older ages: life expectancy has risen rapidly over the past century, driven by breakthroughs in medical treatments and generally healthier lifestyles. Office for National Statistics life expectancy projections show that in 2026, men aged 66 in the UK can be expected to live on average a further 19.3 years, and women aged 66 a further 21.9 years; by 2046, it is projected that this will have increased by an additional 1.6 years. State Pension age policy takes account of the fact that people are living longer and our society is ageing.”
Addressing future policy, the department stated: “The Third State Pension age Review is underway and will decide what State Pension age is appropriate for future decades, balancing considerations of fairness and sustainability. It will consider a wide range of evidence, including ONS life expectancy projections, findings from the Government Actuary, independent reports from Dr. Suzy Morrissey and the Pensions Commission, and lessons from previous increases.”
The DWP also acknowledged employment challenges: “The Government recognises people aged 50 and over can face a range of barriers to entering, remaining in, or returning to work, including ill health, disability, caring responsibilities, menopause, and outdated skills or qualifications.”
