A Scottish National Party MSP has issued a stark warning that Scotland is being sidelined in a major UK-wide review of the state pension age, urging ministers to scrap a planned increase for Scottish retirees.
Scotland's 'unique challenges' ignored in pension review
Jackie Dunbar, the SNP MSP for Aberdeen, has submitted formal evidence to the UK's independent State Pension Age Review. Her submission argues forcefully that no changes should proceed without proper consideration of Scotland's distinct demographic situation.
The evidence highlights that Scotland has a lower life expectancy than other UK nations, alongside higher rates of long-term illness and disability. Ms Dunbar contends that these factors create a compelling case for Scotland to be treated differently in pension policy.
Labour accused of breaking promises and planning new 'injustice'
The intervention comes as the UK Government, led by the Labour Party, prepares to phase in an increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67. This change is scheduled to begin in April and be completed within two years.
Ms Dunbar did not mince words, accusing the government of a double failure. "Labour has abjectly failed to come good on its pre-election promise of compensating WASPI women," she stated. "Now they look set to replicate this injustice by punishing a whole new generation of Scots who have worked hard and paid in all their lives."
She challenged Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and his MSPs to take a stand. She demanded to know whether they would "stand up for Scots by demanding a pension age which reflects Scotland's needs or will they rollover and back another Westminster one-size-fits-all approach which treats Scotland as an afterthought?"
What the State Pension Age Review will examine
The UK Government announced the launch of its third review of the State Pension age in July 2025. The review's purpose is to determine whether the current rules are appropriate, based on the latest life expectancy data and other evidence.
It will consider two key reports: an independent analysis led by Dr Suzy Morrissey examining factors relevant to the pension age, and a separate report from the Government Actuary's Department (GAD) scrutinising the most recent life expectancy projections.
Ms Dunbar's core demand is that the conclusions from this review must lead the government to "rule out another attack on Scotland's older people" and acknowledge that a uniform UK-wide pension age unfairly penalises Scots.
