• Think tank argues Government must seek to level-up healthy life expectancy ahead of legislating to increase the State Pension Age to 68.

Responding to the announcement of the Government’s plan to review the State Pension Age, David Sinclair, Director of the International Longevity Centre-UK (ILC), argued:

“COVID-19 has likely had an impact on life expectancy and certainly had an impact on the employment rates of older workers. It’s also highlighted the huge disparities in how long we live and how healthy we are. Too many people are being forced out of work before the State Pension kicks in.

The Government has set itself an ambitious target of tackling inequalities in life expectancy, but there hasn’t been an adequate plan to realise this goal.

Considering how effectively we support people to work longer must play a part in the decision about whether to increase the State Pension Age. Yet older workers have been hit hard by COVID-19.

The Government has now announced its plans for the next Independent State Pension Age review. If they want to follow their plans to increase the age we receive our pensions further, they must be clear about how they will mitigate the impact on those of us who aren’t living longer and healthier lives.

It is vital that Government doesn’t dodge the inequalities issues. We need a plan to level up healthy life expectancy.”

Notes

The State Pension Age is gradually increasing. It is due to reach 67 by 2028. The 2017 State Pension Age Review (Cridland Review) recommended an increase in the State Pension Age to 68 over two years from 2037, but the Government planned to undertake another review before legislating.

On Wednesday, 15 December 2021, the Government announced the launch of the second State Pension Age Review. You can read the full announcement here.

ILC are hosting a workshop on Tuesday, 18 January 2022 to discuss how the potential implications of this review and how best to avoid increasing inequalities. You can find more information or register on ILC’s website.