Transition to State Pension age

Work and Pensions Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 10 Nov 2025 Parliament page
The last time the State Pension age went up there was a jump in the number of pre-pensioners (people aged 60+ but below pension age) in poverty. This group are the joint poorest among working age adults. We are launching this inquiry to consider the case for providing additional support … Read more
12 Recommendations
29 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
4 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
11 Jul
2026
Report published
22 Apr
2026
Correspondence
15 Apr
2026
Correspondence
18 Mar
2026
Oral evidence
25 Feb
2026
Oral evidence
28 Jan
2026
Oral evidence
21 Jan
2026
Correspondence
16 Jan
2026
Correspondence
10 Dec
2025
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
18 Mar 2026
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Work and Pensions Committee
Cathy Payne · Department for Work & Pensions Nicholas Warrington · Department for Work and Pensions Torsten Bell MP · Department for Work and Pensions
25 Feb 2026
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Work and Pensions Committee
Charles Cotton · Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) David Finch · The Health Foundation Emily Holzhausen CBE · Carers UK Joe Levenson · Arthritis UK Jon Richards · UNISON Professor Wendy Loretto · University of Edinburgh Business School Quinn Roache · TUC Sarah Vickerstaff · University of Kent
28 Jan 2026
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Work and Pensions Committee
Dr Daniella Jenkins · Women’s Budget Group Fabian Chessell · Policy in Practice Justin Wray · Association of British Insurers Morgan Vine · Independent Age Phil Mawhinney · Age UK Tiffany Tsang · Pensions UK
10 Dec 2025
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Work and Pensions Committee
Andrea Barry · Centre for Ageing Better Ben Franklin · Centre for Progressive Policy Chris Curry · Institute for Fiscal Studies Jonathan Cribb · Institute for Fiscal Studies Patrick Thomson · Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report - Transition to State Pension Age HC 76 11 Jul 2026 41 Pending
Recommendations & Conclusions
41 results
1 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We welcome the fact that the government asked Dr Suzy Morrissey to balance fairness and...
We welcome the fact that the government asked Dr Suzy Morrissey to balance fairness and sustainability in her independent review of the State Pension age and set up a Second Pensions Commission to make recommendations on broader questions of adequacy, … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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2 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
The risk is that outcomes from these important reviews come too late for many reaching...
The risk is that outcomes from these important reviews come too late for many reaching State Pension age in the next few years. The impacts of the rise to 67 will be very uneven. For many unable to keep working, … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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3 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We recognise that there are challenges ahead, with an ageing population meaning rising costs in...
We recognise that there are challenges ahead, with an ageing population meaning rising costs in a tight fiscal environment. In future decisions, on the State Pension and other state entitlements for pensioners, it will be important for the government to … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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4 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We agree with the Second Pensions Commission that current policy is not grounded in clear...
We agree with the Second Pensions Commission that current policy is not grounded in clear objectives for adequacy and that it would help guide future policy to define what ‘adequate’ means in a way that accurately represents pensioners’ financial resources … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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5 Recommendation
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
The government must work towards a sufficiently clear adequacy objective to guide its future decisions...
The government must work towards a sufficiently clear adequacy objective to guide its future decisions on State Pensions and state entitlements. It should say whether a State Pension that tries to avoid poverty but does not necessarily deliver adequacy, represents … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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6 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
The State Pension age started to rise to 67 in April 2026.
The State Pension age started to rise to 67 in April 2026. However, many people are not in work by that age. In 2025, by age 65, only 42% were in work and by age 66, this had fallen to … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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7 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
Financial resources, work capacity and good health are all factors that help protect individuals as...
Financial resources, work capacity and good health are all factors that help protect individuals as the State Pension age increases. However, people reach their pre-pension years with very unequal levels of all of these. People who have typically worked in … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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8 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We welcome the Minister’s statement that it is possible to take both fiscal constraints and...
We welcome the Minister’s statement that it is possible to take both fiscal constraints and the consequences of State Pension age increases seriously. We acknowledge that he takes responsibility for the increase to 67, a policy he inherited, and which … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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9 Recommendation
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
The government must: • confirm that a core task for the Secretary of State’s State...
The government must: • confirm that a core task for the Secretary of State’s State Pension age review, due by March 2029, will be to consider those groups on whom State Pension age increases have a disproportionately negative impact and … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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10 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We agree with the Minister that it is important to consider the distributional effects of...
We agree with the Minister that it is important to consider the distributional effects of State Pension age increases. The results are felt unevenly. We know that the last increase resulted in a more than doubling of poverty for 65-year-olds. … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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11 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
A further effect of the rise from 65 to 66 was an increase in employment,...
A further effect of the rise from 65 to 66 was an increase in employment, with the largest effects for those with the lowest educational attainment and those living in the most deprived areas. We were concerned to hear that, … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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12 Recommendation
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
In response to this report, the department should commission research on the health impacts of...
In response to this report, the department should commission research on the health impacts of later working from the State Pension age increase from 65 to 66. (Recommendation, Paragraph 61) 63
Department for Work and Pensions
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13 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
The Minister for Pensions explained that the department’s plans to support the transition to State...
The Minister for Pensions explained that the department’s plans to support the transition to State Pension age for the rise to 67 was to support older workers in the labour market, through initiatives such as WorkWell, Pathways to Work and … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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14 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We heard that many older workers struggle to continue in demanding jobs, sometimes to the...
We heard that many older workers struggle to continue in demanding jobs, sometimes to the detriment of their health. The ‘double jeopardy’ of ageism and disablism may mean they hesitate to request support and if they leave one job, may … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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15 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We acknowledge government initiatives to address these challenges, including the Mayfield Review.
We acknowledge government initiatives to address these challenges, including the Mayfield Review. However, as the Second Pensions Commission concluded, success will require a concerted effort across government and industry. We welcome the Minister for Pensions’ recognition that a cross- government … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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16 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
Based on the evidence we have received, there is a clear justification for providing additional...
Based on the evidence we have received, there is a clear justification for providing additional social security support for those unable to keep working in the years approaching State Pension age. While pension age rises have been justified on grounds … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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17 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We agree with the Minister that there are consequences to State Pension age increases which...
We agree with the Minister that there are consequences to State Pension age increases which can, and should, be taken seriously. There is evidence that the longer wait for their State Pension will harm 66-year-olds unable 64 to keep working … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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18 Recommendation
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We heard widespread support for this but less consensus on what form it should take.
We heard widespread support for this but less consensus on what form it should take. On balance we support increasing the level of Universal Credit (UC) for all recipients in the year before State Pension age because it has a … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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19 Recommendation
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We are disappointed that the Minister seemed disinclined to consider specific additional support to pre-pensioners.
We are disappointed that the Minister seemed disinclined to consider specific additional support to pre-pensioners. We are also disappointed at the lack of evidence-based policy-making that has been driving this and policy making more generally in the DWP. We recommend … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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20 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We acknowledge that this proposal would not go far enough to improve health outcomes for...
We acknowledge that this proposal would not go far enough to improve health outcomes for people who have had to leave work due to ill-health or caring responsibilities in their mid-60s. We should not be in this position. If the … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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21 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
The Secretary of State’s own State Pension age review should consult on a longer-term approach...
The Secretary of State’s own State Pension age review should consult on a longer-term approach to additional social security support for those unable to work to State Pension age. This should model the costs and benefits of different options, taking … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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22 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
It is concerning that people approaching State Pension age may need to draw on their...
It is concerning that people approaching State Pension age may need to draw on their pension savings to bridge the gap before they get their State Pension, rather than those savings being available into old age. There is a worrying … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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23 Recommendation
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
DWP should commission research on: the extent of pension and non- pension savings held by...
DWP should commission research on: the extent of pension and non- pension savings held by pre-pensioners on Universal Credit and how they are drawing on them; and the extent to which pre-pensioners who are eligible for Universal Credit are not … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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24 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
The 2011 and 2013 impact assessments of the increase to 67 are outdated and insufficient.
The 2011 and 2013 impact assessments of the increase to 67 are outdated and insufficient. They do not reflect recent increases in work-limiting ill- health or deepening inequality in healthy life expectancy. The previous government decided to proceed with the … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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25 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
The Secretary of State should make a statement confirming that healthy life expectancy is a...
The Secretary of State should make a statement confirming that healthy life expectancy is a relevant factor for State Pension age reviews under section 27 of the Pensions Act 2014. (Recommendation, Paragraph 109)
Department for Work and Pensions
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26 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We welcome the undertaking that the Secretary of State will take a broad and holistic...
We welcome the undertaking that the Secretary of State will take a broad and holistic approach to assessing the impact of State Pension age rises in his own review, due by March 2029. If this undertaking is met it will … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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27 Recommendation
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
The government should explain how it will take a holistic approach to assessing the impact...
The government should explain how it will take a holistic approach to assessing the impact of State Pension age increases in future. This should include its plans to: 66 • take into account the views of pensioners; • consult the … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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28 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
State Pension age rises risk exacerbating existing inequalities in health and lifetime earnings.
State Pension age rises risk exacerbating existing inequalities in health and lifetime earnings. This should be reflected in impact assessments on State Pension age rises but is not. (Conclusion, Paragraph 116)
Department for Work and Pensions
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29 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
The department should consider how to take account of the cumulative impact of policies on...
The department should consider how to take account of the cumulative impact of policies on individuals in its assessment of State Pension age rises; for example, whether it will base its assessment on longitudinal data reflecting differences in factors such … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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30 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We welcome the Minister’s recognition that the different parts of government—including DWP and the NHS—are...
We welcome the Minister’s recognition that the different parts of government—including DWP and the NHS—are ‘in this together.’ As we said in our Pensioner Poverty report, a whole system approach to prevention is needed if the government is to achieve … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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31 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
In response to this report, the department should explain: whether it accepts that pre-pensioner and...
In response to this report, the department should explain: whether it accepts that pre-pensioner and pensioner poverty have a downstream impact, for example, on demand for health and social care services; how it will reflect this in its impact assessments … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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32 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We remain concerned about the impact of the mixed age couple rule.
We remain concerned about the impact of the mixed age couple rule. There are gaps in our understanding of its impact on the living standards and health of the 70,000 households affected and how this might change as the State … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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33 Recommendation
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
More than 15 years on from its introduction, the government should commission and publish analysis...
More than 15 years on from its introduction, the government should commission and publish analysis of the impact of the mixed age couple rule on those affected and how this will change as the State Pension age rises to 67. … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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34 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
The Crisis and Resilience Fund could play a vital role in targeting additional support at...
The Crisis and Resilience Fund could play a vital role in targeting additional support at Universal Credit claimants affected by the increase to 67. However, as things stand, local authorities have access to only 35 to 40% of the data, … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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35 Recommendation
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
The government should confirm that it has committed the resources needed to deliver on plans...
The government should confirm that it has committed the resources needed to deliver on plans for a wider Universal Credit data share with local authorities in 2027. It should publish regular updates on progress. (Recommendation, Paragraph 134)
Department for Work and Pensions
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36 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We are concerned to hear that around one in five of those with a State...
We are concerned to hear that around one in five of those with a State Pension age of 67 may not have accurate awareness of this in time to make informed decisions about their retirement. We are also concerned at … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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37 Recommendation
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
DWP should commission research to find out more about these low levels of awareness and...
DWP should commission research to find out more about these low levels of awareness and whether there are practical steps that it could take to improve outcomes (for example, in relation to benefit take-up). (Recommendation, Paragraph 142)
Department for Work and Pensions
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38 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We are concerned that some individuals will have received inflated State Pension forecasts because these...
We are concerned that some individuals will have received inflated State Pension forecasts because these did not show deductions for contracting out. Some of them may have lost the opportunity to do things differently, for example, to continue working for … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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39 Recommendation
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
We recommend that DWP report on the decisions which led to some people receiving inflated...
We recommend that DWP report on the decisions which led to some people receiving inflated State Pension forecasts, what it has learned from this and the actions it will take to prevent a repetition. The report should also set out … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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40 Conclusion
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
It is vital that the Department develop a culture of learning from its mistakes.
It is vital that the Department develop a culture of learning from its mistakes. Indications that it has not yet done that include the Department’s response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s recommendations on 1950s women, repeated problems with … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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41 Recommendation
2nd Report - Transition to State P…
In response to this report, the Department should set out how it will work in...
In response to this report, the Department should set out how it will work in partnership with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to implement the action plan and to monitor and evaluate its effectiveness. This should include which elements … Read more
Department for Work and Pensions
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Correspondence 4 letters
22 Apr 2026 Correspondence with the Minister for Pensions, following his appearance before the Committee on Wednesday 18 March 2026
Parliament page
15 Apr 2026 Correspondence with the Minister for Pensions, following his appearance before the Committee on Wednesday 18 March 2026
Parliament page
21 Jan 2026 From committee Letter to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, regarding engagement between the DWP and PHSO on the action plan arising from their State Pension age investigation
Parliament page
16 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, regarding engagement between the DWP and PHSO on the action plan arising from their State Pension age investigation
Parliament page