Should the state pension age be increased?

The government has announced it will be freezing plans that would have seen the accelerated increase of the state pension age.

An increase to 68 was scheduled for between 2044 and 2046, before the idea of bringing that date forward to between 2037 and 2039 was considered.

However, this has now been scrapped amid concerns of backlash from voters, as well as uncertainty around life expectancy rate.

On the decision, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: "Given the level of uncertainty about the data on life expectancy, labour markets and the public finances, and the significance of these decisions on the lives of millions of people, I am mindful a different decision might be appropriate once these factors are clearer.

"I therefore plan for a further review to be undertaken within two years of the next parliament to consider the rise to age 68 again."

This means that the decision will be delayed until after the next general election, although plans to raise the pension age from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028 remain in place.

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