Thank you for contacting me about changes to the State Pension age.

The Pensions Act 1995 legislated to equalise the State Pension age. The 2007 Pension Act increased the retirement age to 66. The Pensions Act 2011 accelerated this equalisation. The 2011 Act included also transitional arrangements limiting State Pension age delays.

The Pensions Acts of 1995, 2007, and 2011 were all subject to public consultation and debate in Parliament, and were all widely reported in the media. The changes in the 1995 legislation were communicated in leaflets, advertising campaigns, and individual letters. The up-to-date State Pension age was also provided to those who requested a Pension Statement. More than 28 million personal State Pension statements were provided between April 2000 and April 2019.

On 3rd October 2019 the High Court judged that changes made to women’s State Pension age were lawful and that they did not discriminate on any grounds, neither in terms of age or sex discrimination. The Court also dismissed claims that due notice was not given. The High Court noted that successive governments took a measured approach after recognising the inequality in the State Pension age and the need to increase it.

An appeal is being lodged so I cannot comment further.