“Ministers delay plan to lift UK state pension age to 68 as life expectancy falls”

Mar 22, 2023 | Pensions

The good news, the state pension age looks like it won’t rise again; or not for a while at least. The bad news, that’s because life expectancy in the UK has fallen. Far more people have died, and died younger in the past 10 years than in other countries. The trend started in 2010, so directly correlates with a decade of public spending and health cuts, and it’s the poorest who’ve suffered most: ‘If you travel just six miles from the poshest part of Kensington in London to New Cross Gate, life expectancy for men falls by a staggering 18 years, from 92 to 74’ according to a rather shocking Economist article. And that’s now, not in Victorian London. Of course, it’s those with least who will rely on the state pension the most. But not, sadly, for very long.

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“National insurance cut raises questions over state pension funding”

“National insurance cut raises questions over state pension funding”

In an election year, all parties will try to be all things to all men. Mostly, it’s only stuff which matters ‘on the doorstep’ which matters. In isolation, Mrs Miggins (not my invention) will be delighted that her pension has gone up with the highest measure of inflation; and no one running a business will be complaining that National Insurance has been reduced.

“Back to work for people aged 65”

“Back to work for people aged 65”

So is it ‘back to work’ or never stopping? And why? Because we’re cash-strapped and can’t afford to retire? Or healthier and realising that working can actually keep you healthy? Well, it all depends, of course.