The Government's pension reform

Written evidence submitted by M Hale

Proposed Changes to State Pension Age for Women

I understand that you are The Chair of The Work and Pensions Select Committee and that the Committee is currently taking evidence on the subject of the proposed changes to the State Pension age for Women.

I have recently written to my MP regarding the subject and I attach copies of our correspondence. You will see from my letter, dated 15 November 2010, that I have set out my considerable concern as to the impact of these proposed changes. These amendments, as you are aware, are in addition to the impact that I have already had to absorb from the changes introduced some time ago altering the State Pension age for women from 60 to 65 years of age.

I do not believe in their haste to introduce financial savings that the current government appreciated the considerable impact on the women born in 1953 and 1954. The proposals will cause considerable hardship and worry, in my opinion, to women of this age group who can now do so little to take steps to minimize the impact of the proposed changes. In my view this group has been treated particularly harshly.

I hope that the committee is able to take account of my letter to my MP and that my views and concerns will be reflected in the subsequent recommendations.

February 2011