Altmann: warnings on women’s state pension ignored

Former pensions minister Ros Altmann has claimed her warnings that changes to the state-pension age would have a detrimental impact on women were ignored at all levels of government.

917_MW_P29_Pensions_Bottom

Altmann speaks out
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2017 Shutterstock. No use without permission.)

A former pensions minister has claimed her warnings that changes to the state-pension age would have a detrimental impact on women were ignored at all levels of government.

While in office, Altmann told campaigners the government could not change course or offer compensation. On stepping down, however, she attacked the government for its intransigence on the issue. Now she has gone one step further, claiming that both Steve Webb, then the work and pensions minister, and Iain Duncan Smith, the secretary of state, had refused to listen to her concerns or to consider delaying the plans. Altmann also claims she had drawn up an alternative plan for reform that would eventually have delivered bigger savings than the initial proposals, but says that this was ignored.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up

The Waspi campaign is calling for a bridging pension to be paid to women whose retirement age has been put back by the 2011 reforms, but successive governments have rejected the idea.

MoneyWeek

MoneyWeek is written by a team of experienced and award-winning journalists, plus expert columnists. As well as daily digital news and features, MoneyWeek also publishes a weekly magazine, covering investing and personal finance. From share tips, pensions, gold to practical investment tips - we provide a round-up to help you make money and keep it.