DWP speaks out on proposals to reduce State Pension age to 60

The DWP has responded to calls to cut the DWP State Pension age to 60 for everyone, and to increase the rates to reflect a job paying the National Living wage.

More than 16,000 people have signed an official petition, Give State Pension to all at 60 and increase it to equal 48hrs of Living Wage, but a DWP spokesperson said: “The Government has no plans to make the State Pension available from the age of 60 or for it to equal 48 hours a week at the National Living Wage.”

It continues: “Our commitment to the Triple Lock through this Parliament will benefit over 12 million pensioners. From the end of this Parliament, spending on the State Pension as a result of our commitment to protect the Triple Lock is forecast to be around £31 billion more a year, compared with 2024/25.”

The statement also references other benefits, which provide additional support to those over State Pension age, including Pension Credit (which guarantees a minimum level of income for low-income pensioners). Pension Credit passports pensioners to receive other benefits (help with council tax, fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75).

There’s also a mention of the Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Home Discount, Housing Benefit and Discretionary Housing Payments.

Pensioners with a long-term health condition or disability may also be eligible for additional-costs disability benefits. In England and Wales these are Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment. In Scotland, where this is a devolved matter, they are the Scottish Government’s Pension Age Disability Payment, Adult Disability Payment and, from March 2025, Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.

What was the original petition?

The petition, which can be signed here , now has more than 16,000 signatures.

The Government responds to all petitions that get more than 10,000 signatures, and at 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.

Recommended reading:

In the petition, Denver Johnson says: “We want the Government to make the State Pension available from the age of 60 and increase this to equal 48hrs a week at the National Living Wage.

“Hence from April 2025 a Universal State Pension should be £586.08 per week or about £30,476.16 per year as a right to all including expatriates, age 60 and above.

“We think that Government policy seems intent on the State Pension being a benefit not paid to all, while ever increasing the age of entitlement. We want reforms to the State Pension, so that it is available to all including expatriates, from age 60, and linked to the National Living Wage, for security.”