Pension Age changes

There was a debate. WASPI are doing incredible work and welcome your support. Continued pressure's needed because, as everybody knows, older women don't make a fuss

Here's their Facebook page, WASPI on Twitter, and the Work & Pensions briefing.

Here's their New Year's Eve post:-

As 2015 draws to a close we've been reflecting upon our year and are so proud at what we've achieved, how far we've come. Especially as we were only founded in April this year! Here's a few of our memories:-

* Crowdjustice appeal - Target met in 3 days!
* Launch of Facebook page
* Growning media and political support - check out Media in Notes section
* Launch of our Twitter page - thanks Chris Shaw
* Launching our petition in October - 3,000 sigs in 3 hours!
* Meeting with the Shadow Cabinet in October
* Meeting with Natalie Bennett in October
* Featured on National TV
* Numerous mentions in the House - including debate in House
of Lords - thank you Baroness Joan Bakewell
* Giving evidence at the Work & Pensions Committee Inquiry - such an honour to be asked.
* Frank Field - Chair of Work & Pensions Committee for thanking WASPI "for making democracy alive". Praise doesn't come much higher than that.

Five ordinary women - on a mission to achieve justice. Five ordinary women - joined by thousands upon thousands of like- minded women (and men).

Yes, there's still much to be done but if we all do this together, do want we can, we will achieve justice. People power is a formidable force.

Thanks to each and every one of you for your support, for going that extra mile, for all you do. We simply couldn't have done it without you.

I have just signed the petition and so far there are only 46,488 signatures on it. It needs 100,000 before Parliament will debate the issue. Any ideas how to publicise it? Highlight the petition at U3A meetings etc?

PLEASE PLEASE could all of you sign the WASPI campaign against the State Pension inequalities. We really need everyone to support this to get justice, even if you are not directly affected. Thank you SO much

It does seem like 1954 was a particularly bad year for a woman to be born.

I have been working abroad for over twenty years and now find that I am restricted to applying for my next job in countries that don't have an age limit on work permits. In some countries this is as low as 55. And to add insult to injury it now appears that on return to the UK I would have to pass a test to get any state benefit, as I am now not eligible for the state pension until 2020, if I don't have a job!

It feels like we are back in the dark ages and the only option might turn out to be living on savings until they run out and then dying in the workhouse...

Happily I am still fit and well, able and willing to work, well qualified so optimistic.......although my sister tells me not to return without a job because apparently the country is going to the dogs.

Any suggestions?

Let's hope so, in answer to both ninathenana and goldfinch5349!

At the very least, it has got some of us tweeting for the first time to raise awareness of the campaign.

If the number of signatures reaches 100000 the issue will be considered for debate in parliament.
I watched the interview with Anne Keen and Joan Bakewell on TV which was very good and should raise the profile of the issue further. I haven't yet listened to Baroness Altmann's replies to the questions put to her, but there are certainly at least 39772 people who don't "accept the situation," as they have signed the petition. The petition was started I think on 20th October and will run until 20th April 2016, so here's hoping it will reach the 100000 mark.

I've signed, but do we really think it will change anything ?

There was an excellent interview with Anne Keen, one of the WASPI founders, and Joan Bakewell on the BBC Breakfast programme this morning. They were both very impressive and put the case over in a succinct and informative way. Joan Bakewell was speaking about the issue in the House of Lords today. I haven't been able to watch the broadcast yet, but I understand that Baroness Altmann, Minister of State for Pensions, claimed in her reply that most of those affected accepted the situation. Does anyone else remember being asked?!

I, too, would urge people to sign the petition mentioned by Joy and others, above. I realised way back in 1995 that I would have to wait until I was 63 to get my state pension but at that time I was 41 and there was time to plan. I can fully understand how some women would not realise there had been a change but I had at one time worked in the financial sector. The next change came in 2011 which knocked my state pension age back 18 months. At that time I had already taken early retirement based on my earlier financial plans! To add insult to injury I had previously been told that I had the maximum number of qualifying years for a full state pension ie 30. That has now changed to 35 years. I could, if I could afford it, pay further voluntary contributions but why should I hand over any more money to a government who, I consider, has treated me and thousands of other women, unfairly. Going back to work at the age of 61 and with health problems is not an option. So please if you are affected by the changes, sign the petition and get your friends and family to do so as well.

It's disgusting the way we have been treated

I'm in the same boat... I'm 62 now and have been told I won't get my pension till March 2018. Sigh..... I'm lucky I'm self employed, and love my job!

It seems to be a case of "I'm alright Jack" you may be lucky and already get your state pension, but for 750,000 ladies born in the 1950s it is a nightmare. We expected our pensions at 60, the goalposts were moved as people were living longer, we accepted that we would have to wait longer. Then the goalposts were moved again, without notifying us and giving us time to readjust our plans. Mine moved from 60 to 63 to 65. Friends born the same year 1953 get their pensions now, I have to wait another 3 years. The WASPI campaign is fighting to change the inequalities of the change. Please, if you have not already done so, sign the WASPI petition ( link above in Joys post) and join the Facebook page. You may be okay, but there are lots of us struggling to carry on working, caring for parents, etc.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION - Thank you

Long time lurking.

Back in 2013 when I put a thread up about this I got some less than helpful replies (although there were some sympathetic ones). Now it seems many are caught in the trap.

My sympathies to all who will end up in the same boat as I will. I wont be ungenerous as some were - and say, well, if you didn't pay in, why should you expect to get any out? And, why should you expect to retire earlier or use your husbands contributions rather than working and being equal?.....

The best response I heard to this issue was made on Money Box last week when the matter was discussed. I heard a lady who had already been made to retire asking about making up her NI contributions so she could have her full new state pension. After going through all the possibilities , one of the experts told it like it is " well you will just have to go back to work and stay there until you have enough contributions".

That sums it up I think.

Have all you ladies born in 1950s joined the WASPI Facebook page and signed the latest petition?

For all of you who are affected by the increase in SPA, particularly those of us born in 1954 and facing an extra 18 months on top of the four year increase we already had with very little notice. This is the latest petition in case you haven't seen it. Please sign and share. Thank you.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/110776

www.facebook.com/WASPI-Women-Against-State-Pension-Inequality-Campaign-877054125688402/

Had worked there 13 years and got the basic government guidelne pay out. Recall it was something around £4.5k.

It was in the middle of the recession, no houses being sold. Our little local family solicitor company went from selling about 30 houses weekly....to only 2 or 3. We went to a three day week. Redundancy payment was based on your current wage so perhaps no coincidence that we'd gone to a three day week just prior to said redundancy. 9 staff were reduced to 3 part timers.

I used it to change my car to a newer model.

I hope you got a big redundancy payout, Coolgran.

I was so so lucky, I got my state pension on my 60th birthday, another 9 months and the new rules would have applied. I was made redundant one month before my 60th birthday and claimed unemployment benefit for the final 4 weeks until my state pension was paid.

I have no private pension and would have been in a sad state had I been born 9 months later.

I will be 66, there wont be a state pension when our children get to our age.

At the minute my youngest, who is 31, is coming up as being able to retire on his 68th birthday. No doubt that will be a distant dream by the time he gets to that age!

But, irrationally I know, the thing that really makes me is typing my birthdate into the State Pension Calculator and seeing that I will get my bus pass when I'm 66, if I live in England. If I live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland I should already have had it since my 60th birthday. Talk about adding insult to injury!

Oh I see, yes, unfair to say the least!

I wonder how old our children and grandchildren will have to be to be entitled to a state pension? 70?...75?...

Not very tapered for some of us though, Ana, that's the point. Instead of a gradual incline it's a steep drop. I'm 60, but don't get my pension now till I'm 66, so will have lost out on 6 full years of pension payments. Someone exactly two years older than me will get theirs before they're 63, and will only lose out on 2 years and 9 months.

I thought it had been tapered. I knew years ago that I wouldn't be entitled to my state pension until I was nearly 62.

I had always thought it would be tapered not a sudden that's it. 6 more years. Boom just like that!