People approaching retirement have expressed widespread concern over the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67, with women significantly more likely than men to say they are feeling the pressure of the change.
New research from the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement found 59 per cent of people aged between 60 and 65 believe their own State Pension age is unfair. This age group includes the first people affected by the latest increase, which is being phased in between 2026 and 2028.
The changes mean people born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961 will reach State Pension age at different points between 66 and 67 depending on their date of birth. Anyone born from March 6, 1961 will not qualify until they turn 67 under current legislation. The official timetable confirms the increase will be completed in 2028.
Women feel greater pressure
The Standard Life research also found particularly strong concerns among women approaching retirement. Some 60 per cent of women in their 60s said their own State Pension age was unfair, compared with 43 per cent of men.
Half of women in their 60s also said they felt under pressure as a result of the increase to 67, compared with 31 per cent of men.
Catherine Foot, director of the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement, said: “As our population ages, the country is faced with fiscal challenges that involve difficult trade-offs. The State Pension is often central to these debates, but our research shows how strongly people feel about changes to the State Pension age. A majority of those most immediately affected by the ongoing increase to 67 believe the change is unfair and do not support further rises linked to life expectancy. This is particularly true for women, who are significantly less likely than men to have adequate private retirement savings.”
She added that if further increases are considered, people will need enough time to prepare, while policymakers should consider those with lower savings and fewer opportunities to continue working.
Opposition to further State Pension age rises
The research suggests concern extends beyond the increase currently taking place. Seven in 10 people aged 60 to 65 - 69 per cent - said the State Pension age should remain unchanged regardless of increases in average life expectancy. Just 23 per cent supported further increases linked to people living longer.
Women were again more opposed to future increases, with 71 per cent saying the age should remain unchanged regardless of life expectancy, compared with 62 per cent of men. Two-thirds of people in their 60s - 67 per cent - also said it was unfair to change someone's State Pension age after they had already started their working life.
By comparison, 24 per cent believed the Government should be able to increase State Pension age to protect taxpayers if people are living longer. Men were more likely to support the Government having that option, at 33 per cent compared with 20 per cent of women.
However, the research also indicates there is no clear consensus among older people about whether the State Pension can remain affordable in the longer term. Some 28 per cent of respondents in their 60s agreed spending on the State Pension would become unsustainable, while 27 per cent disagreed and 45 per cent were unsure.
When will the State Pension age rise to 68?
Under current legislation, the State Pension age is also due to increase from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. The change affects people born from April 6, 1977, although the timetable for the increase to 68 remains subject to future State Pension age reviews.
The UK Government launched the third State Pension age review in 2025, which is considering whether the existing rules remain appropriate, taking account of factors including life expectancy. People can check exactly when they will become eligible for their State Pension using the online State Pension age checker on GOV.UK.
Standard Life is calling for greater public involvement in future decisions over retirement policy, including the potential use of Citizens' Assemblies to allow people to consider the financial and social trade-offs involved. Ms Foot said involving the public alongside experts could give policymakers a better understanding of people's priorities and help reduce resentment over future reforms.
