TUC – government climbdown on raising state pension age is “no cause for celebration”

Commenting on today’s (Thursday) announcement that a rise in the state pension age to 68 will not be brought forward yet, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

“This is a much needed climbdown.

“But it is no cause for celebration. Life expectancy at retirement has fallen by two years since the last time the state pension age was reviewed six years ago, which is why the government’s own review recommended delaying the increase to 68.”

“The promise of yet another review after the next election is a worry for workers – it looks like the government just wants to keep asking the same question until it gets the answer it wants.

“The real problem is that ministers are failing to deal with the health inequalities that lead to falling life expectancy in poor areas, and that mean many in low-paid jobs are already unable to work to state pension age.

“A decent retirement should be a right for all – not just a privilege for a few.”