UK Government to Respond to Petition Lowering Pension Age

The Government of the United Kingdom is required to provide an official response after a parliamentary petition to reduce the state pension age to 65 surpassed 11,000 signatures. Created by Michelle Gill, the petition argues that a lower pension age would allow citizens to retire with dignity and create employment opportunities for younger workers, noting that youth unemployment reached 16.4% between May and July 2026.

This push for reduction contradicts current legislation, which began a phased increase from 66 to 67 in April 2026, with a further rise to 68 planned for 2044. The Work and Pensions Committee has warned that rising pension ages risk increasing income poverty among 65-year-olds due to declining healthy life expectancy. The committee recommended increasing Universal Credit for 66-year-olds by the end of 2026 to prevent financial hardship.

The Department for Work and Pensions stated it welcomes the committee's inquiry but noted that as of February 2026, only 0.02% of Universal Credit claimants were aged 65 or 66. In a separate matter, the Department of Health and Social Care rejected a petition signed by nearly 20,000 people to lower the pension age for ambulance workers to 60, citing significant costs to taxpayers and employers.

The state pension petition remains open until March 16, 2027. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for a parliamentary debate.