Retirement Age - new rules

kemmyjoe

Hi
Has anyone had the shock of their life when checking their new retirement age. I thought I was retiring in 6 years but the government calculator says it's now 10 years before I will be offered the state pension. I wonder if we can appeal against this? I think mostly women are affected. It's a hell of a difference and wouldn't have made a difference if I'd been born just a tiny bit earlier.

MrChips

What is your sex and date of birth?

State Pension Age (SPA) is 65 for males born before 6 April 1959 and 60 for females born before 6 April 1950. For females this increases gradually (by 1 month per month after 6 April 1950) from 60 to 65 for those born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1955.

For both sexes the SPA increases gradually from 65 to 68 for those born between 6 April 1959 and 5 April 1978.

margaretclare

No, you can't appeal against it. As MrChips indicates, it goes on your date of birth, and there's no appeal against that - is there?

These new rules have been publicised for quite a while now, no reason why anyone should be shocked or surprised. Sorry!

dunstonh

Has anyone had the shock of their life when checking their new retirement age.

Not really. Its only the state pension age that is changing and it has been known about for a couple of years now. Those that are seeing an increase have plenty of time to do something about it.

I thought I was retiring in 6 years but the government calculator says it's now 10 years before I will be offered the state pension.

The first change is in 2024. Not in 6-10 years time.

I wonder if we can appeal against this?

MrChips posting above has assumed you are referring to the increase in the female state pension age that was accounced about 13 years ago. I think he is right as your dates dont match the more recent state pension age changes to age 68.

You could have written to your MP back in the 90s when this was first announced. However, its a bit late now and there are further increases in state retirement age to come. Given the old way was discrimination against men it was always going to change.

kemmyjoe

Hi, I am 54 and knew there were new rules coming in, it's just that I didn't look them up before and assumed it wouldn't affect me as I was near to retiring age. I have to leave my employ at 60 and will try and manage without state pension, I don't want to carry on working. What a bummer.

MrChips

Based on your facts, I am guessing you are a female born in mid 1954?

In which case you are right that your SPA would have been 60 had you been born 4 years earlier, but is actually about 64 and a quarter now.

But, think yourself lucky - mine will be 68 (and may even increase again if the Government change their mind over the next 38 years!). If only I had been born 5 months earlier it would have only been 67 years and 11 months

This will only affect your State Pension benefits and not anything you may have accrued in a company or personal pension scheme.

dunstonh

I have to leave my employ at 60

Qualifying for payment of your occupational pension doesnt require you to leave any more.

cyclonebri1

kemmyjoe wrote: »

Hi, I am 54 and knew there were new rules coming in, it's just that I didn't look them up before and assumed it wouldn't affect me as I was near to retiring age. I have to leave my employ at 60 and will try and manage without state pension, I don't want to carry on working. What a bummer.

In view of the changes is that enforced/legal?, or is it because you have a fully funded occupational pension?

seven-day-weekend

These changes have been known about for years, so I don't quite know why anyone should be surprised.

My retirement date is January 2010, so I am in the last batch of women who can still get her State Pension at 60. However, I have had to pay 39 years worth of contributions (assisted by HRP). People retiring after 6th April 2010 will only need 30 years ' worth to get their full State Pension. (Although if you are working you have to carry on paying as NI also covers other things).

Women wanted equality in Pensions. They got it.

bunny999

It goes to show that you should never depend on the state - they can change the rules any time they like. I won't get the state pension until I am 65. Thank goodness I've got other pensions that I will get at 60. I never thought I'd be looking forward to being 60 but I can't wait for those lump sums.

kemmyjoe

I have been trying to post twice now, this is the last time. I asked if this means I won't get bus pass or winter fuel payments until I am receiving State Pension or does everyone get these at 60?