WASPI Compensation

If you are trying to restore trust in politics it is surely not a good idea to ignore advice given by the ombudsman that was asked to give a judgement.

There are so many children in poverty though & that is heart-breaking but Starmer hasn't done away with the 2 child cap. Maybe he hates children as well as women in their 60's?
Or maybe he doesn't hate either group but is doing his best in a tight corner for the UK.

I didn’t think anything would come of this anyway so I’m not disappointed.

I have never thought that any compensation would be paid, by any of the party’s. But Labour lied, the majority of their MPs I believe supported the Waspi campaign. It’s the same story all politicians tell you what you want to hear, to gain power. Once in power they forget their promise’s. I don’t think a lot of pensioners will forget these discriminating policies by Labour. They are blatantly ageist, and need to be reminded not all pensioners are rich

Happygirl79

mae13

Why does Starmer hate old people, especially old women so desperately?
A near perfect example of Olympic standard mysoginy.

I agree totally. Women are not valued by politicians. But for those of us who survive until the next election we can show our displeasure then if nothing else. Men rule the world. Nothing changes really.

Makes you wonder how they got away with making men work 5 years longer than women for all those years.

theworriedwell

Happygirl79

mae13

Why does Starmer hate old people, especially old women so desperately?
A near perfect example of Olympic standard mysoginy.

I agree totally. Women are not valued by politicians. But for those of us who survive until the next election we can show our displeasure then if nothing else. Men rule the world. Nothing changes really.

Makes you wonder how they got away with making men work 5 years longer than women for all those years.

'They' didn't. Men born before 1953 could get NI credits between the ages of 60 and 65 if they didn't work or if they earned less than the threshold for NI, bringing them in line with women who retired at 60 - some of whom compulsorily. Men could, of course, work until the age of 65 when their pension kicked in.

This was staggered until it stopped when the women's pension age rose.

The Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar promised "no more austerity" during the election, but that's exactly what we've got.

Casdon

Much like the last lot then, and no doubt, the next lot. As I said, nobody has committed to paying it.

To be fair I don’t think any government actions would have been/will be different about this, not even the LibDems who were involved in the original decision and who are now crying “shame”.

I was chatting to OH about this. First, as he pointed out, women for a very long time could retire at 60 and men at 65. As he said women generally live longer than men. Wasn’t that unfair that men had to wait so much longer. And isn’t it right that the age of retirement for both men and women has been aligned. Second, I knew the age of retirement was changing so it wasn’t a surprise when I had to wait until 63 to receive my pension. Third, once I got my pension, the monthly amount was a lot more than if I’d received it at 60.

I think we need to give this government a chance. It is sad that the right wing press are doing their best to make everything they do look bad. Maybe consider why Starmer et al are having to make hard choices. A lot of people have very short memories.

Hmm.
Himself is good at sums. I’m good with words and spellings (they do say opposites attract).

Many of my friends received their (reduced by comparison to nowadays) SP at the age of 60. I had to wait until 66 + a few months.

Himself worked out that those missing 6 years of ‘ordinary rate’ SP = a net loss of some £42k for me alone. Never mind the thousands of other WASPIs. He said if I live to 78y on the new enhanced SP monthly payment I’d recoup the money I’d ‘lost’ over those missing six years.

However, If I live past that I’ll be £££s in! Here’s hoping to an 80th birthday party. Champagne will be on ice.

I think that by rights, we should be compensated. But I don't buy in to the cries of 'hypocrisy', which I think are media-fuelled.

There are things I would love to do if I had the money. Things I support, and that I think would be the right thing to do. I may have said to others that I would like to do them. If the only way I could do them would be to take money from other things in my budget that need it more, however, I would have to decide what to prioritise, which might mean doing the sensible things instead of the ones I'd like to do. I don't think that would make me a hypocrite.

It has repeatedly been said on the various WASPI threads, that not all WASPI women are on the bigger, new state pension. I’m not for one. I received my state pension at 63. It’s the old state pension. I was notified that I would be receiving my state pension at 61, but I was not notified that the wait had been increased until I was 63. Had I been a few weeks younger I would have waited a bit longer but received a bigger pension. I will never arrive at an age whereby the fewer number of years will have been ‘paid back’ by the larger state pension. I will never be paid the larger state pension, even if I live to be 100.

As I've posted on another thread, what I find most concerning, and deeply depressing, is that the government has just casually dismissed the findings of the very long and complex investigation into this issue carried out by the Ombudsman, who is after all the last resort of the ordinary man/woman in the street who feels they have been treated unfairly by an all-powerful government department.

The compensation sums recommended weren't huge, but they were in recognition of the fact that the Ombudsman found that maladministration had taken place and thousands of women were adversely affected by it.

I don't know if Ombudsman recommendations have ever been ignored like this before, but if they have, it must be a very rare event. It's a dark day if there's no longer going to be a system that can look into alleged injustices and, if need be, put them right.

I agree Maggiemaybe. It's so important that people can trust the system, and believe that when they fulfil their side of a deal (even if not a legally binding contract) the state will keep to their own. If we can't, what's the point in being law-abiding? Policing by consent can only work with the co-operation of citizens, and co-operation depends on trust. Changing the goalposts after people had paid in for decades was cruel.

petal53

It has repeatedly been said on the various WASPI threads, that not all WASPI women are on the bigger, new state pension. I’m not for one. I received my state pension at 63. It’s the old state pension. I was notified that I would be receiving my state pension at 61, but I was not notified that the wait had been increased until I was 63. Had I been a few weeks younger I would have waited a bit longer but received a bigger pension. I will never arrive at an age whereby the fewer number of years will have been ‘paid back’ by the larger state pension. I will never be paid the larger state pension, even if I live to be 100.

I’m in the same position as you, but a woman who was in the same class as me at school, whose birthday was four months later than mine, receives more than I do.

If they had awarded compensation, how would they have worked it out?

I’ve been getting my SP since I was 62years 10 months, so got it 3+ years sooner than those much younger, but they obviously get much more.

How could it have been made fair?

There are several critical issues in the evolving landscape of pensions and generational equity. The demographic shift, with younger workers currently supporting an increasing number of pensioners, raises pertinent questions.

First to take account of would be the perception among younger workers - many of whom are aware that they may not receive the same level of pension benefits as previous generations. The idea that future pensions might be means-tested could further complicate their views on current compensation claims, like those from the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) movement.

If younger workers see themselves facing financial insecurity in retirement, they may be less inclined to support compensation for older generations, viewing it through a lens of fairness and resource allocation.

Additionally, the emphasis on personal pensions is crucial. As the state pension’s efficacy is called into question, encouraging saving through personal and workplace pensions could provide a safety net for future retirees. However, for this to be effective, there needs to be robust support and education for younger workers about their pension options, coupled with government commitments to enhance workplace pension contributions and to reinstate discussions around the Pension Review. Governments must not be allowed to fail the younger generation.

By making a cultural shift towards saving for retirement a priority and ensuring that newer policies address the needs of younger workers, we might foster a more equitable pension landscape. This includes the government making strategic choices that may require sacrificing some political capital for the long-term benefit of future retirees, ultimately aiming for a system that balances the needs of all generations.

I am not surprised at the decision. I doubt Sunak would have paid out either. The poor post people still haven't been paid. That scandal can not be described strongly enough. I am a waspi woman and I never thought we would receive anything.

love0c

I am not surprised at the decision. I doubt Sunak would have paid out either. The poor post people still haven't been paid. That scandal can not be described strongly enough. I am a waspi woman and I never thought we would receive anything.

What did you think you were owed by the rest of the country love0c?

I never expected to receive anything or felt deserving. . Far more deserving people. People driven to suicide. Hence my post. That was a strange post.

I apologise if I misunderstood, but I read your "I never thought we would receive anything" as there being something you should receive but wouldn't. My mistake.

For those still actively campaigning (not you love0c) for some sort of redress, I wonder if they would be prepared for the triple-lock to go, for example, in order to pay them what they believe they are owed. Something would have to.

PoliticsNerd No worries. This is why I hate texting people. I would much rather speak in person. No misunderstanding then. Having adult children that love this form of communication means I have had to learn . I'm still learning!

Perhaps somewhat disingenuous PN to say the trade off would be the ending of the triple lock? Mind you I think it’ll go anyway. Governments can pull money out of thin air if they want to (just ask MiazieD) so I can only ascertain they (both Tory and Labour) just don’t want to and have been kicking this can down the road for years now.

To be honest although I didn’t expect anything I have to secretly admire Labour for putting an end to all the speculation. Time to move on.

This issue won't move on though. A government overruling the parliamentary ombudsman has serious long term implications for all of us.

silverlining48

I was an ordinary working woman but knew that pension ages were due to be gradually equalised to 65. I remember thinking it would be fairer to split the difference and use 62.5.
It was reported by print media, tv and radio at the time.

The changes were advertised. I remember discussions with my younger sisters and friends at the time. Women still statistically live longer. Many of us were working mothers, paying into private or works pensions. The history of women being totally dependent on their husbands wages was changing.

This government is having to fund compensation to the post office and blood scandal victims. To find funds to settle pay disputes that should and could have been done by the previous government. To somehow rebuild our public services including nhs, criminal justice , education, social care - it’s desperate. Tough decisions being made exactly as Starmer sard would happen

petal53

Nonetheless how two faced of Liz Kendall to be pictured holding a poster supporting the WASPI women and then having the nerve to take the completely opposite stand.

Meanwhile we can send millions abroad to help with the green policies of other countries.
I don’t think many people voted for that! But they weren’t told!

Let’s remind ourselves.