Waspi women: ombudsman calls for £10.5bn compensation package after it finds DWP guilty of maladministration

Changes to the state pension age for women were not properly communicated, the ombudsman has ruled. But will the government act on its recommendations and compensate the Waspi women?

A Waspi protester is seen shouting slogans.
(Image credit: Photo by Stewart Kirby / SOPA Images)

After years of campaigning, the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign group could finally be in line for compensation after the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman ruled in their favour last week. However, so far, the government has failed to commit to paying out. 

Changes to the state pension age between 2010 and 2018 left many women born in the 1950s at a financial loss. The Waspi group claimed the state pension changes were poorly communicated by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and that they were implemented with little notice.

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Katie Williams
Staff Writer

Katie has a background in investment writing and is interested in everything to do with personal finance, politics, and investing. She enjoys translating complex topics into easy-to-understand stories to help people make the most of their money.

Katie believes investing shouldn’t be complicated, and that demystifying it can help normal people improve their lives.

Before joining the MoneyWeek team, Katie worked as an investment writer at Invesco, a global asset management firm. She joined the company as a graduate in 2019. While there, she wrote about the global economy, bond markets, alternative investments and UK equities.

Katie loves writing and studied English at the University of Cambridge. Outside of work, she enjoys going to the theatre, reading novels, travelling and trying new restaurants with friends.