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<p>The decision to equalise the State Pension age for men and women dates back to
1995 and addresses a longstanding inequality between men and women’s State Pension
age. If State Pension ages had not been equalised, women would be spending 40% of
their adult life in retirement and this proportion would be continuing to increase.</p><p>The
2010-15 Government made the decision to bring in further changes to the State Pension
age, following extensive debates in both Houses of Parliament. These changes were
introduced in order to protect public finances and maintain the sustainability of
the state pension over the long term. Life expectancy at age 65 increased by 5 years
for men and almost 4 years for women in the 20 years to 2009. The 2011 Act accelerated
the equalisation of women’s State Pension age by 18 months and brought forward the
increase in men and women’s State Pension age to 66 by five and a half years, relative
to the previous timetables. Failing to act in light of compelling demographic evidence
would have been irresponsible and would have placed an unfair fiscal burden on the
working population.</p><p>A concession was made prior to the passing of the 2011 Act
which reduced the delay that anyone would experience in claiming their State Pension,
relative to the previous timetable, to 18 months. This concession benefited almost
a quarter of a million women, who would otherwise have experienced delays of up to
two years. A similar number of men also benefited from a reduced increase, and the
concession was worth £1.1 billion in total.</p><p>This issue has been debated numerous
times and numerous statements have already been made. Introducing further concessions
cannot be justified given the imperative to focus public resources on helping those
most in need.</p>
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