State Pension Age Compensation Plan: DWP Responds to WASPI Petition

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a response to an online petition by the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, which demands compensation for women born in the 1950s who were affected by changes to the State Pension age. The petition has garnered more than 132,000 signatures, crossing the threshold to be considered for parliamentary debate.

Key Details of the WASPI Petition

1. Main Demands:
   • Fair compensation for women affected by the DWP’s communication failures about State Pension age changes.
   • Implementation of a compensation scheme by March 21, 2025.
2. Basis for Compensation Claim:
   • A March 2024 report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found DWP guilty of maladministration in how it communicated State Pension age changes to 1950s-born women.
   • Backed by cross-party MPs, the Work and Pensions Select Committee, and public opinion (68% support according to polling).

DWP’s Response

1. No Specific Timeframe for Action:
   • The DWP stated it is “carefully reviewing” the Ombudsman’s findings but did not commit to a compensation scheme or timeline.
   • The government emphasized the need for “serious consideration” before announcing any decisions.
2. Historical Context of Pension Age Changes:
   • 1995 Pensions Act: Equalized State Pension age for men and women.
   • 2007, 2011, and 2014 Acts: Accelerated the rise in pension age to account for increasing life expectancy.
   • The 2014 Act introduced periodic reviews of the State Pension age.
3. Focus of the Ombudsman’s Report:
   • The PHSO report is not about the pension age changes themselves, but about failures in communication by the DWP regarding the changes, which impacted 1950s-born women.
4. Engagement with Affected Groups:
   • The Minister for Pensions recently met with WASPI representatives—the first such meeting in 8 years—as well as other stakeholders, signaling a willingness to engage.

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Next Steps for the WASPI Campaign

1. Petitions Committee Review:
   • The petition, having surpassed 100,000 signatures, qualifies for consideration for a parliamentary debate.
2. Awaiting Compensation Decision:
   • The DWP has pledged to outline its approach once its review of the Ombudsman’s report is complete.
3. Public and Political Pressure:
   • WASPI campaigners, MPs, and advocacy groups continue to urge the government to act promptly, with the petition demanding clarity and action by March 2025.

Broader Context: Support for Pensioners

The government reaffirmed its commitment to providing security and dignity for pensioners, highlighting the State Pension as the foundation of retirement income. However, the ongoing debate emphasizes the need for better communication and fairness in handling past issues.

For those affected by these changes, WASPI’s campaign and the upcoming petition debate represent critical opportunities to push for compensation and acknowledgment of the hardship caused by communication failures.