6. Pensions
[ch 6: page 72]What’s new?
• A review looking at the State Pension Age (SPA) post 2028 has said it should rise to 68 by 2039 (phased in over two years between 2037 and 2039), seven years earlier than previously planned, and scrap the triple-lock guarantee on the State Pension
• Unions are supporting the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign
• The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) has produced a briefing in defence of the triple-lock guarantee for annual rises in the state pension
The right to claim certain benefits changes once you reach State Pension Age (SPA). For example, you cannot claim Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, but you can claim Attendance Allowance (see page 57). There is now no upper age limit for payment of Statutory Sick Pay, but you cannot claim Employment and Support Allowance (see page 48), although this might be paid for up to a year if you became sick before reaching SPA.