21 March 2024 , 17:04
1300
0
Millions of "WASPI women" could receive compensation and an apology over state pension changes, it emerged today.
The Mirror has studied data to discover who is eligible and exactly how much women can expect. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) says women born between April 1950 and April 1960 are "owed" money because increases in the state pension age, from 60 to 66, were not communicated properly.
Some women were notified of the change to their pension age less than a year before they had been expecting to retire at 60, which left them without enough time to adjust their savings plans, the ombudsman found. The report also said the women affected should have received a letter informing them of the changes up to four years earlier than they did.
Campaigners say the average victim missed out on over £50,000 in pension payments as a result. The watchdog's chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath, said: "DWP has clearly indicated that it will refuse to comply. This is unacceptable. The Department must do the right thing and it must be held to account for failure to do so."
WASPI women gather at the statue of a political activist amid their campaign (Getty Images)A DWP spokesman said: "We will consider the ombudsman's report and respond in due course, having co-operated fully throughout this investigation. The Government has always been committed to supporting all pensioners in a sustainable way that gives them a dignified retirement, whilst also being fair to them and taxpayers.
DWP cost-of-living payment dates announced as millions get £900 but only by 2024
"The state pension is the foundation of income in retirement and will remain so as we deliver a further 8.5% rise in April which will increase the state pension for 12 million pensioners by £900."
If you are a woman born between April 1950 and April 1960, you can use this interactive to see when the ombudsman says you should have been notified of the changes to your pension.
It is nearly ten years since the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign group - or WASPI for short - launched a campaign for compensation. The ombudsman report follows a five-year investigation into alleged failures at the DWP.
The PHSO used a severity of injustice scale to determine a financial payment that it believes is appropriate and proportionate. The scale has six levels of payment and PHSO has recommended a Level 4 payout of between £1,000 and £2,950 to recognise the “significant” and “lasting impact” suffered by many women. If the government agrees to this compensation level, it could mean a total cost to the taxpayer of between £3.5 billion and £10 billion.
Should the government pay compensation to WASPI women? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
But the DWP has argued that compensation at Level 3, below £1,000, would be “consistent” with previous payouts made to claimants. The government has not yet confirmed that any level of compensation will be paid to the affected women. Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaigners have demanded “a proper compensation package” with a payout set at Level 6, which is £10,000 or more.