The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a new update on state pension age increases that may prompt questions about the Government's actual policy position.
In July, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) claimed the state pension age would reach 68 between 2037 and 2039, affecting those born between 1971 and 1977. However, pensions minister Torsten Bell dismissed this, stating: "We have not announced any change of policy - and certainly not this specific one."
New statement from Baroness Sherlock
The Treasury initially branded the OBR's assertion as "untrue", saying the law remains to increase the state pension to 68 in 2044. Yet this week, Baroness Sherlock delivered a much shorter and less emphatic response to parliamentary questions.
She stated simply: "The previous government committed to bring forward the rise in the State Pension age to 68 between 2037 and 2039."
"The first chance this government will have to consider this issue will be via the State Pension age Review."
Impact and context
Her statement did not reject the OBR claim, nor did it say legislation remained in place for the state pension to rise to 68 in 2044.
Government spending on pensions is forecast to reach £146.1 billion in 2025-26, with the state pension representing 42% of total welfare spending. The full new State Pension currently stands at £241.30 per week.
