State pension age “should rise from 68 to 75”, Conservative think tank report says

The pension age is already set to increase to 67 by 2028 and to 68 by 2046

The state pension age should be raised to 75 from 68, a report by a Conservative think tank claims.

In its latest report ‘Ageing Confidently: Supporting an ageing workforce’, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), headed by former Conservative leader and former secretary of state for work and pensions, Iain Duncan-Smith, has proposed increasing the pension age to 70 by 2028 and 75 by 2035 to “access the benefits of work.”

The pension age is already set to increase to 67 by 2028 and to 68 by 2046.

The report states: “Removing barriers for older people to remain in work has the potential to contribute greatly to the health of individuals and the affordability of public services. Therefore, this paper argues for significant improvements in the support for older workers. This includes improved healthcare support, increased access to flexible working, better opportunities for training, an employer-led Mid-Life MOT and the implementation of an ‘Age Confident’ scheme.

“As we prepare for the future, we must prioritise increasing the opportunity to work for this demographic to reduce involuntary worklessness. For the vulnerable and marginalised, a job offers the first step away from state dependence, social marginalisation and personal destitution.

“In addition, provided that this support is in place, we propose an increase in the State Pension Age to 75 by 2035. While this might seem contrary to a long-standing compassionate attitude to an older generation that have paid their way in the world and deserve to be looked after, we do not believe it should be.

“Working longer has the potential to improve health and wellbeing, increase retirement savings and ensure the full functioning of public services for all.”

Leader of the local Conservative party, Councillor Ashley Dearnley said: “This is a report from one of many think tanks, the findings of which I would not agree with, and is not Conservative policy.”

Labour councillor Kallum Nolan, of Middleton North ward, said: “I am disgusted by this. In my area of Middleton, the healthy life expectancy is 51 for males and 58 for women. Asking us to work 16 years past our healthy life expectancy is a bit much.

“It’s time Westminster politicians recognised the plights of Northern working-class people. In a time of great uncertainty, it is unwise to be prodding the public with unnerving policies such as this.”

The leader of the local Liberal Democrats, Councillor Andy Kelly, was also contacted for comment.