WOMEN AGAINST STATE PENSION INEQUALITY (WASPI)
Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) say millions have lost out due to the change and campaigned for compensation after retirement plans were harmed by the change. WASPI went from court to court until the case was then taken to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO)
PARLIMENTARY AND HEALTH SERVICE OMBUDSMAN
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has been investigating potential injustices related to changes in the state pension age for five years.
In its report in July 2021, the (PHSO) found the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) guilty of maladministration in its handling of the changes. This related to specific failings dating back to 2005 and 2006.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report follows campaigning from women who saw their retirement age aligned with that of men. The report, expected to be published today, examines how women were affected by increases in retirement age.
WASPI SEEK COMPENSATION
Campaigners argue that millions of women suffered financially due to lack of advance warning about these changes. Waspi has called for compensation payments of £10,000 or more for those impacted1.
The DWP have said that
'they will not comply with the rulings'.
However the PHSO has stated
"The Department must do the right thing and it must be held to account for failure to do so. "
PENSION AGE LIMIT KEEPS INCREASING
The age at which people receive the state pension has been increasing as people live longer, and currently stands at 66 for men and women. The increases have been controversial. Campaigners claim women born in the 1950s have been treated unfairly by rapid changes and the way they were communicated to those affected.
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