UK Reviews Pension Compensation Denial for 3.8 Million Women

The UK government has announced it will review its decision to deny compensation to around 3.8 million women born in the 1950s who were affected by increases to the state pension age, following the emergence of previously undisclosed evidence. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden made the statement in Parliament on Wednesday, saying the review would begin immediately but did not guarantee any financial redress for the group known as the WASPI women.

The women, born between April 1950 and April 1960, saw their state pension age rise from 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2016, and later to 66, as part of efforts to equalize retirement ages between men and women. Changes were legislated in 1995, 2007, and 2011, but campaigners argue that inadequate communication from the Department for Work and Pensions left many unaware of the shifts until it was too late to adjust their retirement plans. This resulted in financial hardship for thousands, including extended periods of unemployment or low-paid work, with some of the most severely impacted women waiting up to 18 months longer than expected.

In January 2024, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommended compensation of up...