Pension age ‘could rise to 72 by 2050s’

THE pension age could be pushed to 72 by the mid-2050s as part of an official review, it was claimed last night.

Sources said the so-far unpublished state retirement age review suggested the hike may be needed to limit pension spending. Government sources denied the review made such a recommendation.

But they signalled the longawaited report from Tory peer Baroness Neville-Rolfe would propose that the pension age rises to 68 from 2042 – two years earlier than expected.

However, The Mail on Sunday has been told that the issue is so toxic for the Government that no new decisions would be made before the next Election.

As if to confirm that, sources said the report – due to be published by May 7 – would now be followed by a completely new pensions review.

The state pension age is already set to rise from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028. It is then due to increase to 68 from 2044.

But the MoS was told that the review recommends bringing that forward by two years.

Sources claimed the Tory peer would also suggest the age rises to over 70 by the mid-2050s. But Government sources said she made no recommendations beyond the 68 years of age issue.

Former Pensions Minister Steve Webb said: ‘Such is the toxicity of this that the whole issue of moving from 67 to 68 and then beyond will be left till after the General Election.’

The Department for Work and Pensions said: ‘The Government is required by law to regularly review the state pension age. The next review will be published by May 7.’