Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson has criticised reports revealing that Treasury officials told the Office for Budget Responsibility that the UK Government is planning to bring forward the increase in the State Pension age to 68 by at least seven years, to 2037.
Under current legislation, the increase is scheduled to take place between 2044 and 2046.
Ms Adamson said the proposals would have a particularly damaging and disproportionate impact on people in communities such as Motherwell and Wishaw, where average life expectancy remains below the national average.
Recent figures show life expectancy across Motherwell and Wishaw is several years lower than the Scotland average for both men and women, highlighting the inequalities that already exist across communities.
Commenting, Ms Adamson said: “These reported plans are deeply concerning and would mean many people being forced to work even longer before receiving the State Pension they have paid into throughout their working lives.
“This proposal fails to recognise the reality facing communities like Motherwell and Wishaw, where life expectancy is already lower than the Scottish average.
“For many people locally, asking them to work for longer risks reducing the time they are able to enjoy retirement altogether.
“We know that health inequalities continue to have a significant impact across North Lanarkshire, and any decisions about the State Pension age must take those inequalities into account rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
“People who have worked hard and contributed throughout their lives deserve dignity and security in retirement. Instead, these reported plans would ask many to work longer while receiving less from the pension system they have paid into for decades.
“I will continue to stand up for the interests of people across Motherwell and Wishaw and oppose any changes that unfairly disadvantage communities which already experience poorer health outcomes and lower life expectancy.”
In a move set to save the Treasury around £6 billion a year from 2037, millions more Brits will now be forced to work until they are 68.
It comes as the State Pension age is due to rise gradually to 68 between April 2044 and April 2046, affecting those born between April 1977 and April 1978.
However, the Treasury has now told the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) that they plan to bring the increase in the retirement age forward by at least seven years – which would mean around five million people, who are currently aged between 49 and 55, would have to work an extra year before being eligible for their state pension.
The OBR said: “We assume that the state pension rises to 68 in 2037-39. The Treasury has confirmed to us that this is the government’s current policy position, rather than the legislated increase set in the Pensions Act 2007.”
Torsten Bell, the pensions minister, confirmed that bringing forward the rise in age was under consideration. He said the Labour government wants to “make sure that we have a sustainable state pension for the longer term.”
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