The Government's pension reform

Written evidence submitted by Helen Draper

I am writing to protest at the current strategy being applied to the pensionable age of women.

I read that for the third time, the age at which I will receive my state pension has been moved further on. This is due to the date of my birth falling into a certain catchment area.

I have worked continuously in Local Government for 35.5 years with no breaks in service and will reach my 60th birthday on 26th February 2014 hence I feel I more than qualify to receive my State Pension at the earliest date following this.

From a general point of view, people are facing hardship across the country and to continue moving the goalposts of the pensionable age is totally unacceptable. Whilst cutbacks are inevitable at this difficult time in Britain, it is not helpful for people to remain ‘in limbo’ in their financial planning for their future.

A further point which I find totally unacceptable is that men are being treated differently. This surely cannot be deemed an appropriate way forward in the 21st Century and is discriminatory against women.

February 2011