https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFZtSU5C3UA

 

The DWP has now delivered its response – it brings disappointing news – but confirmed a review is presently ‘underway’.

Initiated by Michelle Gill, the petition has gathered 80,000 signatures. Should it reach 100,000 supporters, it will be examined for a parliamentary debate where ministers will be required to outline their stance and any prospective modifications.

The Work and Pensions Committee has stated that substantial shifts in people’s health and wellbeing must be taken into account before the change is implemented. A report examining pension age rises released this summer noted: “These include: an increase in the percentage of people aged 60 to 64 reporting a work-limiting health condition (from 28% to 31%). And healthy life expectancy at birth – an indicator of changes in population health – fell by two years over the decade to 2024, with inequalities between the least and most deprived areas widening. In England, it is highest in Richmond upon Thames, where people can expect to live 70 years in good health, and lowest in Blackpool and Hartlepool, at around 51.”

Ensure our latest DWP headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

The committee warned that the government ‘must not allow to happen’ an extended period without financial assistance for 66-year-olds who are unable to continue working until the age of 67. It stated: “The government must not just allow that to happen. We heard an increase in the level of Universal Credit in the year before State Pension age would cost £600 million a year, a small proportion of the significant savings-£10.5 billion a year once the State Pension age is 67, compared to if it had stayed at 66.”

The committee argues that the Government ought to consider increasing universal credit for those aged 66 in order to shield them from financial hardship arising from the “lottery of life” as the state pension age climbs to 67. It highlighted that a growing number of 66-year-olds may find themselves dependent on the standard universal credit payment of approximately £425 per month for a significant period of time, even as their health deteriorates.

The DWP stated in response to the petition: “There are no plans to reduce State Pension age to 65. We are fortunate today that more people are reaching older ages: life expectancy has risen rapidly over the past century, driven by breakthroughs in medical treatments and generally healthier lifestyles. Office for National Statistics life expectancy projections show that in 2026, men aged 66 in the UK can be expected to live on average a further 19.3 years, and women aged 66 a further 21.9 years; by 2046, it is projected that this will have increased by an additional 1.6 years. State Pension age policy takes account of the fact that people are living longer and our society is ageing.

“There are no plans to reduce State Pension age to 65. We are fortunate today that more people are reaching older ages: life expectancy has risen rapidly over the past century, driven by breakthroughs in medical treatments and generally healthier lifestyles.

Addressing the review, it stated: “The Third State Pension age Review is underway and will decide what State Pension age is appropriate for future decades, balancing considerations of fairness and sustainability. It will consider a wide range of evidence, including ONS life expectancy projections, findings from the Government Actuary, independent reports from Dr. Suzy Morrissey and the Pensions Commission, and lessons from previous increases.

“The Government recognises people aged 50 and over can face a range of barriers to entering, remaining in, or returning to work, including ill health, disability, caring responsibilities, menopause, and outdated skills or qualifications.”

State Pension Age Change to 65: DWP Issues Statement as Petition Gains Momentum

Calls to reduce the UK State Pension age to 65 have gathered momentum, putting fresh pressure on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to reconsider the retirement rules affecting millions of people.

The campaign has attracted considerable public support from people concerned about rising living costs, health problems in later working life and the difficulties some older employees face when trying to remain in work until their State Pension becomes available.

However, the government’s latest response has delivered disappointing news for campaigners hoping for an immediate change. In its response published on 13 October 2026, the DWP confirmed that it has no plans to reduce the State Pension age to 65. <Cite refs={[“turn401815search1″,”turn401815search2”]}/>

The statement does not mean that the pension age can never change again. A separate review is examining the rules that should govern the State Pension age in future decades. But for people approaching retirement, the current timetable remains the key factor in planning their finances.

Petition Calls for State Pension Age to Return to 65

The petition, published on the UK Parliament’s website in September 2026, argues that reducing the State Pension age to 65 would help people who face poor health, caring responsibilities or limited opportunities to remain employed as they grow older.

Supporters also argue that a lower pension age could help younger people enter the labour market by allowing older workers who wish to retire to leave their jobs.

The campaign passed the 10,000-signature threshold in October, triggering the government’s obligation to respond. By the time of the latest published petition figures, it had attracted more than 91,000 signatures and was approaching the 100,000 mark associated with consideration for a parliamentary debate. Reaching that threshold does not automatically guarantee that a debate will take place. <Cite refs={[“turn401815search1″,”turn401815search2”]}/>

The petition reflects a wider concern about the gap between the age at which people may want to stop working and the age at which they become eligible for the State Pension.

For some workers, continuing employment into their late sixties may be manageable. For others, particularly those in physically demanding jobs or with caring duties, it can be considerably more difficult.

Campaigners believe these differences should be taken into account when retirement policy is reviewed.

What Has the DWP Said?

The department’s response was clear: the government has no plans to lower the State Pension age to 65.

Instead, it pointed to existing support for older workers, including the digital Midlife MOT, employment assistance for people aged over 50 and programmes intended to help disabled people and those with health conditions access employment and other support.

The government also referred to its plans to help younger people into work, including additional funding for the Youth Guarantee and employment and training opportunities. <Cite refs={[“turn401815search1”]}/>

These measures address some of the difficulties raised by campaigners, but they do not provide the specific change the petition demands.

The central disagreement remains whether employment support is sufficient for people who cannot realistically continue working until their State Pension age, or whether the retirement age itself should be reduced.

For now, the government’s answer leaves the existing system in place.

State Pension Age Is Already Rising

The current increase in the State Pension age is an important part of the debate.

Under the existing timetable, the pension age is rising from 66 to 67 in stages between April 2026 and April 2028. This means that eligibility depends on a person’s date of birth, rather than everyone reaching pension age on the same day. <Cite refs={[“turn401815search4″,”turn401815search8”]}/>

The next potential increase, from 67 to 68, is also under discussion. The timetable set out in current legislation places that increase between April 2044 and April 2046.

However, the Office for Budget Responsibility has referred to a previous government commitment to bring forward the increase to 68 to between 2037 and 2039. The current government has said that the State Pension age review will consider the future timetable and that it cannot pre-empt the review’s outcome. <Cite refs={[“turn401815search6″,”turn401815search7”]}/>

This distinction is important. A previously stated policy intention is not the same as a completed legislative change. People should therefore avoid assuming that the pension age has already been formally moved to 68 on the earlier timetable.

Why Some Older Workers Want the Age Reduced

One of the main arguments for a pension age of 65 is that people’s ability to continue working varies considerably.

Someone in an office-based role may be able to remain employed into their late sixties, particularly if flexible working is available. A construction worker, care worker, cleaner or employee in another physically demanding occupation may experience very different challenges.

Health, disability and caring responsibilities can also make working longer difficult. If someone cannot continue earning but has not yet reached State Pension age, they may need to rely on savings, workplace pension benefits, earnings from other household members or eligible means-tested support.

Campaigners argue that a lower pension age would give people in these circumstances greater financial security and more control over when they retire.

There is also a question of fairness between people with different life expectancies and working conditions. Average national figures can conceal differences between regions, occupations and socioeconomic groups.

However, reducing the State Pension age would have substantial financial implications. It could mean paying pensions to more people for a longer period, increasing the government’s expenditure at a time when public finances are already under pressure.

That is one reason why the government must consider affordability alongside the circumstances of individuals approaching retirement.

The Third State Pension Age Review

Although the government has rejected an immediate reduction to 65, a wider review of State Pension age policy is under way.

The third State Pension age review was launched in July 2025. It is intended to examine whether the rules governing pensionable age remain appropriate, taking into account life expectancy projections and other relevant evidence. The review must report by the end of March 2029. <Cite refs={[“turn401815search4″,”turn401815search0”]}/>

The government has said that no decisions have yet been made about future changes. It has also committed to providing clear and sufficient notice of any changes so that people can plan for retirement.

The review is not a promise that the pension age will fall. Nor does it mean that a reduction to 65 is the expected outcome.

Instead, it provides a framework for assessing questions such as how long people can reasonably expect to spend in retirement, the affordability of pension payments and the implications of changing life expectancy.

The results could inform future decisions, but the government’s latest response makes clear that campaigners should not expect an immediate reversal of the current timetable.

What About People Who Cannot Work Until Pension Age?

For people who are unable to continue working, the distinction between retirement age and eligibility for other support can be particularly important.

The DWP has highlighted employment assistance for older workers and personalised support for disabled people and those with health conditions. Depending on their circumstances, individuals may also be eligible for other benefits or support before they qualify for the State Pension.

Eligibility varies according to factors such as health, income, savings, employment circumstances and National Insurance records. Not everyone who leaves work before State Pension age will qualify for the same assistance.

People approaching retirement should therefore check their individual circumstances rather than assume that they must wait without any possible support until they reach pension age.

The government’s position is that improving employment support and helping people remain in work where possible are important parts of addressing the problem. Campaigners, however, argue that such measures cannot resolve every case, especially where ill health or physically demanding work makes continued employment unrealistic.

How the Decision Affects Retirement Planning

For now, people should plan on the basis of the existing State Pension age rules that apply to their date of birth.

The official government service allows individuals to check their State Pension age and obtain information about their expected pension. It is also sensible to check National Insurance records and whether there are gaps that could affect entitlement.

People who intend to retire before receiving the State Pension may need to consider how they will cover the intervening period. Possible sources of income can include workplace pensions, private savings and other benefits for which they qualify.

Anyone making a major financial decision should distinguish between current rules, proposed changes and campaign demands. A petition calling for the pension age to fall does not itself change the law.

The government’s commitment to provide notice of future changes is particularly relevant for people who need to make decisions about housing, employment, savings and family responsibilities.

Will the State Pension Age Fall to 65?

At present, there is no confirmed plan to reduce the UK State Pension age to 65.

The DWP has formally rejected the petition’s central demand, while the broader review of pension age policy remains ongoing. The existing increase from 66 to 67 is continuing, and the longer-term timetable for reaching 68 remains subject to review and government decisions. <Cite refs={[“turn401815search1″,”turn401815search0″,”turn401815search7”]}/>

The campaign is nevertheless drawing attention to a difficult policy question: how should Britain balance the affordability of the State Pension with the different circumstances faced by people approaching retirement?

For campaigners, the priority is giving people the opportunity to retire with dignity, particularly where poor health or demanding work makes a longer career difficult. For the government, the challenge is to assess those concerns alongside the long-term cost of providing pensions.

The petition may keep pressure on ministers and could be considered for parliamentary debate if it reaches the required threshold. But until the government announces a change and the necessary legal steps are taken, the State Pension age will not return to 65.

For millions of people planning their later years, the most important message is therefore clear: the debate is continuing, but the current rules remain in force.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.