State Pensions

The Government's plans to bring forward an increase in the state pension age to 67 have been met with dismay by elderly groups.

The Government should consider introducing a "graduated" state pension to allow people to draw some cash before they retire, which could help encourage them to continue working for longer, a thinktank recommended today.

Most people aged over 60 can apply now to get help towards their winter energy costs.

Inflation matched its record high last month, meaning greater state benefits, but it also highlights the tough conditions faced by many households.

The Government today has delayed its planned increase in the state pension age, saying that thousands of women will benefit.

The Government says it intends to press ahead with its timetable to raise the state pension age for women despite the threat of a revolt by Conservative and Liberal Democrat backbenchers.

Women, carers and the self employed could be among the winners from the huge pension shake-up that could see a £155-a-week flat-rate state pension from 2015 or 2016.

Public sector workers should be stripped of their final salary pensions and instead have schemes linked to average earnings, a Government-commissioned report recommends today.

The Government is to embark on a fundamental overhaul of the pensions system to ensure it "pays to save" for retirement, Iain Duncan Smith will say today.

The Government has confirmed plans to simplify the state pension system but stopped short of announcing firm plans.