{"id":126919,"date":"2026-10-13T12:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T11:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=126919"},"modified":"2026-10-13T11:17:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T10:17:37","slug":"pension-age-70-new-retirement-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/pension-age-70-new-retirement-age\/","title":{"rendered":"Pension Age Bombshell: 70 Could Become the New Retirement Age"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The UK state pension age could rise beyond the planned increase to 68, after an independent review heard that a pension age of 70 is already used in some countries<\/strong>. Dr Suzy Morrissey, who is conducting the review for the government, said \u201canything is possible<\/em>\u201d when asked whether 70 could eventually become the new state pension age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State pension age is already set to rise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The current UK state pension age is 66<\/strong>. It is already increasing to 67, with the change being phased in. A further increase to 68<\/strong> is currently planned between 2044 and 2046.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The independent review is considering the longer-term future of the state pension age and the factors that could shape future decisions. Asked on BBC Radio 4’s Moneybox<\/em> <\/a>whether 70 could eventually become the new 66, Morrissey pointed to international comparisons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCertainly we have got age increases happening, and so we know that we’re likely to get to 68 in due course,<\/em>\u201d she said. \u201cAnything is possible in terms of any increasing. 70 is not unusual in other countries.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pension
\u00a9 Econostrum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Review raises questions about fairness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Morrissey also discussed concerns about how a higher pension age could affect people in different types of employment. People working in physically demanding jobs<\/strong> may find it harder to remain in work until an older age than those in less physically demanding occupations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She acknowledged that this raises questions about fairness. The review has also considered whether different pension ages could apply depending on someone’s occupation, health or location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morrissey said creating separate rules would be extremely difficult because policymakers would need to decide which jobs qualify, how long someone would need to have worked in that occupation and what other conditions should apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why the UK uses a single pension age<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The UK currently has a single state pension age rather than different ages for different professions. Morrissey said there is a reason for this approach despite the difficulties it creates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating separate thresholds based on occupation could raise questions about which jobs should qualify and how long someone would need to have worked in them. A system based on health or location would also require clear criteria that people could regard as fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

State Pension Age rose by 1 month this week. People who reached 66 on Tuesday won't get their state pension until May, a month later than those born the day before. What is SPA future? first media interview with Suzy Morrisey who reports to govt @Moneybox<\/a> noon @BBCRadio4<\/a><\/p>— Paul Lewis (@paullewismoney) October 10, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>