The government is set to delay plans to raise the state pension age to 68 amid concerns of a backlash from voters, according to reports. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride is expected to address MPs in the Commons on Thursday (March 30), when he is expected to update them on the latest statutory review on the pension age.
According to reports in The i and the Daily Express newspapers, Stride will confirm the Government will move to delay an increase to the pension age amid falling life expectancy rates. It follows reports and speculation in recent weeks that the plan to bring forward the rise could be pushed back until after the next general election, in part due to concerns about a backlash from middle-aged voters.
The state pension age is due to rise due to 68 from 2044, but reports earlier this year suggested ministers wanted to bring that forward – potentially as early as 2035. The state pension age is currently 66, but two increases have already been set out in legislation.
