Women born in the 1950s who lost out on their state pension when the government made retirement age 65 for both men and women are lobbying MPs later today (Wednesday).
The changes introduced in 1995 have affected approximately 2.6m women now in their late 50s and early to mid 60s, who’ve had barely any notice that they were going to have to work for longer before getting their pension.
The women say that had they been told about the changes at the time, they could have made alternative pension arrangements. Unfortunately the government didn’t tell them until 2009, some 14 years later.
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Any changes to state pension age should have happened fairly.
“No-one should have lost out financially because of changes they weren’t told about. The government should stop looking the other way and come up with a plan that compensates the millions of women hit by the move.
“Women who’ve retired or who are nearing retirement shouldn’t be experiencing financial hardship through no fault of their own. Had ministers been more on the ball at the time, the women could have put aside extra money to see them through into their old age.
“International Women’s Day is the perfect opportunity for the government to put right this historic pensions wrong.”
Notes to editors:
– A rally organised by Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) will take place on Old Palace Yard, Abingdon Street, Westminster, (next to Westminster Abbey) from 1pm.
– UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis will be speaking at 1.15pm.
– The lobby of Parliament takes place from 3pm to 5pm in Committee Room 16.
Media contacts:
Alan Weaver T: 0207 121 5555 M: 07939 143310 E: a.weaver@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk
Sophie Goodchild T: 0207 121 5546 M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk
Joe Lewis T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07970 863 411 E: j.lewis5@unison.co.uk
