For 1950s-born women, International Women’s Day 2024 was yet another day without justice, another year waiting to be compensated for the mismanagement of life-impacting State Pension age changes by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Since 2015 the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) Campaign has been campaigning for redress. In 2021, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) – the Government’s watchdog – found the DWP guilty of Maladministration for its failure to properly communicate State Pension age changes that have meant WASPI women waiting as much as 6 years longer than expected for their SP. This is in the context of historic inequality in pay and private pension opportunities which means far more women than men have to rely on the SP for their retirement income. Following a legal challenge from WASPI, the PHSO conceded his Stage 2 report examining the injustice caused by the DWP’s Maladministration was legally flawed and withdrew it. But in the meantime, more WASPI women will die waiting for this scandal to be resolved. To date, that number exceeds 270,000. A Solent & Isle of Wight WASPI spokesperson has said:
“As we mark another IWD without justice, our resolve is as strong as ever. The Government must do right by women who have contributed so much to this country but were badly let down on the cusp of expected, and carefully planned for, retirement.” “By 2026 the rise in women’s State Pension age will have saved the Government a huge £181.4 billion. Some of that vast amount could be used to pay long overdue compensation.”
This year’s IWD theme is “Invest in Women: accelerate progress”. This International Women’s Day, Solent & Isle of Wight WASPI calls on the Government to invest in WASPI women. Compensate us and accelerate progress to a fair resolution of this scandal.
An absolute disgrace. These ladies are not militant enough but, using the governments own creepy woke agenda, they should self identify as men and demand their pensions backdated to the relevant date.
What exatly are they campaigning for, getting something their male counterparts were not entitled to, yes the communication was appalling but if they ever win their case and its doubtful why should men not bring a similar case citing sex.discrimination.
You have completely misunderstood what the campaign is about. It isn’t about sex discrimination or having the same State Pension age as men. It’s about the failure to properly communicate policy changes. The DWP has already been found guilty of Maladministration by the Government’s own watchdog. If you think you have a valid Maladministration case too, then make a complaint to the DWP.
Actually no, I probably support your action but you are still not getting your pension early because of bad communication.
No-one is asking for their pension early.
It doesn’t matter which party is in power. They delay as long as they possibly can any compensation claims until they have to pay hoping that many of the claiments have died so therefore reducing the amount of compensation paid out.
Thats literally just the rationale behind increasing the age for state pensions.
Never going to get it..
This was widely communicated since the changes were proposed about 30 years ago. I am a man and knew it was going to happen. These women must have been living under a rock not to know that the changes would be happening.
I don’t think it was widely communicated John. It was certainly talked about. Not as in a rumour but the governments were discussing it. However, policy changes were not communicated with ample warning against the band of women that were effected. And so it was thrust upon these 1950’s women with little or no warning at all! The impact on individuals who were effected was severe and disturbing. Planning life around retirement at a certain age and relying on a state pension (sometimes the ONLY pension they have) only to have it withdrawn (and loosing circa £50,000 for those impacted up to 6 years) was a massive blow in more ways than one. Being robbed at close range by our government is criminal!
BS joyce- I am not even at retirement age and knew about these changes all those years ago. You and the rest of those women won’t be getting so much as a penny and well you know it. you were told no before, no again and will be told no continually – take the hint.
It’s true, we all knew the situation.
The difference is that some of us made provision for it and planned accordingly.
It was just common sense, really.