State Pension age is currently undergoing a change for both men and women, but this is not the first alteration to take place. Previously, the state pension age was set at 60 for men and 65 for women, but this underwent a process of equalisation to ensure gender equality and fairness. Under the Pension Act of 1995, and subsequently the Pension Act of 2011, many women saw their state pension age rise to a higher age than they had previously expected.
Some have argued, however, that women, particularly those born in the 1950s, were not given ample time to prepare for these changes, and thus have been negatively impacted as a result.
Certain women have also suggested they did not receive correspondence the DWP stated it sent out, informing women of the changes to their state pension
Now, the matter is being addressed by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in a review which has the potential to impact millions of women.
The Ombudsman is to examine the complaints brought to it, regarding communication of changes to the women’s state pension age, as well as related issues.
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If maladministration is detected, which is not a certainty, then the second stage determines whether this led to an “injustice” for the complainant.
This is where the Ombudsman will consider the DWP’s complaint handling process.
If an injustice is found, which again is not certain at this point, then a third stage is to make recommendations to put things right.
While the Ombudsman cannot reinstate state pensions, revert the state pension age, or recommend a reimbursement of lost pensions, it can make some recommendations.
If an injustice is suffered as a result of maladministration, then it can make recommendations which may include compensation being paid.
The Ombudsman will, in this instance, use what is known as the ‘Severity of Injustice’ scale to determine the six levels of injustice a complaint may fall into.
There is no guarantee as to whether 1950s women will receive any state pension out of this review.
However, many women are hopeful the issues they have raised in the past will be formally recognised.
With regards to the ongoing points raised by women affected, a DWP spokesperson commented to Express.co.uk on the matter.
They said: "We do not comment on leaks or live Ombudsman investigations.
“The Government decided 25 years ago that it was going to make the State Pension age the same for men and women as a long-overdue move towards gender equality.
"Both the High Court and Court of Appeal have supported the actions of the DWP, under successive governments dating back to 1995, and the Supreme Court recently refused the claimants’ permission to appeal.”
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