The long-running campaign by Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) has encountered yet another setback, as the government has once more rejected calls for compensation. Following a new review prompted by additional evidence, ministers confirmed that they reached the same conclusion as previous administrations: no compensation will be awarded. For the approximately 3.6 million 1950s-born women who experienced delays of up to six years in receiving their pensions, this latest refusal feels like yet another blow.
Understanding your own state pension age has become increasingly important. Using me as an example, born in mid-late 60’s my state pension age was 60. The Equalisation of men’s and women’s pension age finished being phased in by 2020 But then an additional blow, those born between March 1961 and 5th April 1977 now have a state pension age of 67. An additional 7 years before I receive my state pension
You can check your own pension age using the government’s tool at: https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age
Knowing your state pension age is essential for retirement planning. It shapes your workplace pension strategy and significantly influences long-term financial security.
The 2025 Scottish Widows Women and Retirement Report shows:
The gender pension gap has widened from 30% to 32% in the past year.
Women are now on track to retire with an average income of £13,000, compared with £19,000 for men.
Scottish Widows further highlights that women are retiring with £113,000 less than men in their pension pots. This figure is based on a median pot size of £173,000 for women vs £286,000 for men.
The report identifies major causes as:
- Career breaks (half of women take one vs one in five men)
Part‑time work - Lower average earnings
- Unpaid care responsibilities
- Missed pension contributions
The sudden increase in the state pension age has exacerbated these challenges, leaving many women financially vulnerable.
As an Employee Benefit/Pension Consultant at Wingate Benefit Solutions and someone directly affected, I strongly believe that workplace pension education is vital. While all staff benefit from this knowledge, women disproportionately affected by rapid pension age changes need clear, proactive support. Helping employees understand their rights, contributions, and potential gaps is essential for promoting financial equality.
The latest WASPI decision may be final for now, but the lesson is clear: awareness, planning, and education remain the strongest tools for securing a stable retirement.
Contact me at Wingate Benefit Solutions if you would like to discuss how we can help promote and educate your employees on a subject that personally means a lot to me.
Contact Helen.Pengelly@wbs.e-innovate.dev or Info@wbs.e-innovate.dev
