A RISE in the state pension age to 68 could be brought forward meaning Brits could have to work longer.
The age at which you can can get the retirement cash is currently 66 and that’s due to rise to 67 by 2028.
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An increase to 68 has already been set out for between 2044 and 2046 – but that could take place earlier.
The government has unveiled a review of the state pension age that could see it rise as early as 2037.
It means millions of Brits born in the 1970s could face a longer wait to access their retirement cash.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a review of the State Pension age that will consider if longer life expectancy means that Brits should work longer.
The government must review the state pension age regularly and a report on its findings by Baroness Neville-Rolfe will have to conclude by 7 May, 2023.
Any change would still have to be written into law, and the review could find that the current plans to change the age from 2044 are appropriate.
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A previous review in 2017 said that the earlier rise in 2037 should be considered in the review launched today.
An earlier rise would affect those born between born between between April 6 1970 and April 5 1978.
While life expectancy has become longer over the years, data suggests that doesn’t mean that people are always in good enough health to work,
Helen Morrissey, pensions and retirement analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown said: “Part of the review will look at changes in life expectancy.
“While it had been proposed that the increase in state pension age to age 68 should be moved forward to 2037-2039, an analysis of the latest life expectancy data as part of this review could stop this in its tracks.
“It will also consider other factors that feed into the debate on state pension age.
“This includes regional differences and should open the debate about healthy life expectancy – the ability to keep working – and how it varies hugely across the country.
“Someone might have a life expectancy of 80 but not all that time will be in good health and many people will find it impossible to work up to and beyond current state pension age.”
Recent data from Public Health England showed a man in Kensington has a life expectancy at birth of 84.2 and a healthy life expectancy of 61.3, she added.
Meanwhile a man in Blackpool has a life expectancy of 74 but a healthy life expectancy of 53.7.
The state pension is currently worth £179.60 a week and that will increase to £185.15 next April.
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