A new campaign has sparked debate as it could see state pensioners receiving a staggering £30,000 annually from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). A launched petition on the official government platform demands that the State Pension be made available from the age of 60 and increase to match 48 hours at the National Living Wage rate.
This significant raise would escalate the weekly figure from the existing £221.20 to an unprecedented £328. Presently, recipients under the new state pension scheme can get up to £884.80 monthly (£11,502.40 a year), while those under the basic state pension scheme collect roughly £678 every four weeks (£8,814 a year).
With the proposed amendments enforced, pensioners aged 60 and above could find themselves pocketing approximately £28,554.24 annually. The text of the petition states: « We want the Government to make the State Pension available from the age of 60 and increase this to equal 48 hours a week at the National Living Wage. »
It insists: « Hence from April 2024, a universal State Pension should be £549.12 per week or about £28,554.24 per year as a right to all including expatriates, age 60 and above. We think that Government policy seems intent on the State Pension being a benefit, while increasing the age of entitlement. »
Furthermore, « We want reforms so the State Pension is available from age 60, and linked to the National Living Wage. »
At the moment of reporting, the petition has accumulated upwards of 5,000 signatures. Following a separate petition demanding the reversal of cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has responded. This year, due to changes in eligibility criteria announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, an estimated 10 million pensioners are expected to lose out on the Winter Fuel Payment.
Previously, all individuals over the state pension age were eligible for the Winter Fuel Payments. However, under the new rules, only those receiving specific means-tested benefits like Pension Credit will qualify.
Labour has defended the move to means-test the payment as a necessary measure to tackle a £22 billion deficit left by the previous Conservative government. Despite this, charities have expressed concerns that the change could result in millions of elderly people facing poverty during the winter months.
In response to the petition, the DWP wrote: « The Government has no plans to reverse the means testing of the Winter Fuel Payment but is focusing on increasing Pension Credit take-up to ensure all eligible pensioners continue to receive support. »
It further added: « However, The DWP responded by saying: « Given the substantial fiscal pressures this year and next, the Government has had to make difficult decisions to bring the public finances under control. This includes the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment, so it is better targeted to low-income pensioners who need it.
« We want the Government to make the State Pension available from the age of 60 and increase this to equal 48 hours a week at the National Living Wage. »
The department further stated: « To ensure Winter Fuel Payments are received by those on the lowest incomes the Government is determined to do everything it can to maximise take-up of Pension Credit which provides a safety net for pensioners on the lowest incomes and opens the door to other benefits including the Winter Fuel Payment. »
