The State Pension Age (SPA) should only increase if there is a corresponding rise in healthy life expectancy, according to pensions sector trade body Pensions UK.
The organisation said any increase in SPA should also be clearly communicated to savers at least 10 years in advance of it being implemented.
In its submission to the Third State Pension Age Review, Pensions UK has urged the Government to take a, “balanced, evidence-based approach grounded in transparency and public engagement,” when considering any changes to the State Pension age or uprating mechanisms.
Pensions UK has recommended that any changes must be fair, adequate and sustainable and contingent on a corresponding rise in healthy life expectancy.
The trade body pointed out that since 2017–2019, healthy life expectancy at birth has fallen for men and women, with regional variations across England, Scotland, and Wales.
It said significant and persistent disparities in both life expectancy and healthy life expectancy exist by region, occupation, and income group. Raising the SPA without consideration for these differences risks deepening inequalities, particularly for those in manual jobs, deprived areas, and minority groups.
It also urged that savers be given 10 years’ notice of any changes to allow them ample time to prepare.
Joe Dabrowski, deputy director of policy at Pensions UK, said: “The State Pension is the backbone of most people’s retirement savings, representing about half of total retirement income. For those on lower incomes, it is even more important: 13% of retirees get over 90% of their income from the State Pension.
“The UK will already have one of the highest State Pension ages in the OECD when it reaches 67 for all in 2028. Any further increases must be matched by a corresponding improvement in healthy life expectancy so that future retirees enjoy the same number of years in retirement.
"It is also vital that changes to the system are clearly communicated at least 10 years in advance to give people time to plan for the future.”
The SPA is the earliest age at which a person can start receiving their State Pension from the government. It is currently 66 for men and women, but this is set to increase in stages to 67 by April 2028. The Government launched an independent review in July to assess the appropriateness of the UK’s SPA based on updated life expectancy data and financial pressures.
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