More than half a million Scots hit by pension age hike

New figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) show that 550,902 39 to 47-year-old Scottish men and women, born between 6 April 1970 and 5 April 1978, will now have to wait a year longer than they expected to get their state pension, after the UK government announced it would bring forward an increase in the state pension age, which wasn’t due until 2044.

The SNP have criticised the UK government for waiting until after the general election to the announcement, and have warned that the further increase in the state pension age could have a hugely disproportionate impact on Scotland, as parts of Scotland have lower life expectancy due to historic and ingrained public health challenges.

The SNP has long called for the establishment of an independent Savings and Pensions Commission to responsibly consider pensions and savings policies to ensure they are fit for purpose and meet the needs of people.

Sandra White, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, said: “With well over half a million Scots negatively affected by this change it reveals the vast scale of this worst form of Tory trickery.

“It is truly shameful that Theresa May and Ruth Davidson kept this under wraps until after the election - as this would have undoubtedly lost them seats.

“A great number of people in Scotland in their late 30s and 40s will already be planning for their retirement; the fact that they will be forced to wait another year for their state pension is a major blow.”

Mhairi Black MP, the SNP’s Spokesperson on Pensions at Westminster, added: “Theresa May and her increasingly weak government must make clear what mitigating measures they will be using to address the severe impact this will have on over 550,000 affected people in Scotland.

“The SNP will continue to call for the establishment of an independent Savings and Pensions Commission to responsibly consider pension policies to ensure they are fit for purpose and take into account Scotland’s demographic needs.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “These changes will ensure the state pension is both fair and sustainable for future generations.

“Those affected will on average still receive the state pension for longer than the generations before them.

“Under the simplified new state pension at its basic level, people in retirement will receive over £1,250 a year more than compared to April 2010.”