The Andy Burnham government is preparing to respond to a petition calling for the state pension age to be reduced to 65 for all. The petition, which has gathered 15,000 signatures on the Parliamentary website, urges the Labour government to lower the age set by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Petition reaches threshold for government response
With more than 10,000 signatures, the government is now compelled to break its silence on the matter. The petition, titled 'Reduce the state pension age to 65 for all', was created by Michelle Gill and has a closing date of 16 March 2027.
The petition argues: "Reduce the state pension age to 65. We believe this could mean people can retire with dignity and avoid hardship. We also think it could free up jobs for younger workers entering the labour market." It adds: "Many aged 65–67 face poor health, caring pressures, and limited work options, which we think is unfair."
What happens next with the petition
The petition website states: "This petition got more than 10,000 signatures meaning that government will respond to it." The petition remains open for signing. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
Currently, the state pension age is set to increase from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028. The change will affect people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, who will reach pension age at 66 plus a specified number of months depending on their exact date of birth.
Detailed pension age changes
- People born 06/04/60 – 05/05/60 can claim from 66 years and 1 month
- People born 06/05/60 – 05/06/60 can claim from 66 years and 2 months
- People born 06/06/60 – 05/07/60 can claim from 66 years and 3 months
- People born 06/07/60 – 05/08/60 can claim from 66 years and 4 months
- People born 06/08/60 – 05/09/60 can claim from 66 years and 5 months
- People born 06/09/60 – 05/10/60 can claim from 66 years and 6 months
- People born 06/10/60 – 05/11/60 can claim from 66 years and 7 months
- People born 06/11/60 – 05/12/60 can claim from 66 years and 8 months
- People born 06/12/60 – 05/01/61 can claim from 66 years and 9 months
- People born 06/01/61 – 05/02/61 can claim from 66 years and 10 months
- People born 06/02/61 – 05/03/61 can claim from 66 years and 11 months
- People born 06/03/61 – 05/04/77 can claim from their 67th birthday
The government's response will be published on the petition page, and the outcome will determine whether the issue progresses to a parliamentary debate.
