A parliamentary petition calling for the State Pension age to be lowered to 65 has reached the 10,000-signature threshold, prompting the UK Government to issue an official response. Andy Burnham is expected to address the proposed change.
Petition triggers Government response
The petition, published on the parliamentary website by Michelle Gill on 16 September, urges the government to reduce the State Pension age to 65 for everyone across the UK. It has now surpassed 10,000 signatures, and the UK Parliament petitions portal has officially confirmed that the Government will respond.
The State Pension age is currently rising from 66 to 67 in phases, with the statutory increase scheduled to affect new retirees depending on their exact date of birth.
Retirement with dignity
Ms Gill's petition states that lowering the threshold would allow people to "retire with dignity and avoid hardship", noting that many individuals aged 65 to 67 face poor health, limited employment options, and intense caregiving pressures. It also notes that earlier retirement could free up jobs for younger generations.
The petition is due to remain open until March 16, 2027.
Broader pension changes
The update comes amid a broader overhaul of retirement policies under Mr Burnham, who this week confirmed long-term structural changes to the state pension system, including the triple lock. The Prime Minister has also recently announced plans to break the triple lock after the next general election in order to fund a new National Care Service in England.
Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester also said low-income pensioners would not have to pay income tax during this Parliament.
