Wednesday 28 January
2026, 09.30, Committee Room 16
Experts will give evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee on
whether over-60s need more support before retirement ahead of the
looming State Pension age increase this April.
Nearly a quarter (22%) of people 60-65 live in poverty and the
increase in State Pension age could mean that they have to do so
for longer. The last time it increased – to 66 – the number of
65-year-olds in poverty doubled as they faced an extra year's
wait before receiving their State Pensions. Pension-age benefits
are more generous than out of work benefits for those unable to
continue in paid work, often due to ill-health or disability, and
for those whose careers involved manual labour.
MPs on the Committee are likely to ask witnesses on this
disproportionate impact of pension age rises on people in their
mid-60s, the causes of it and what can be done to smooth that
transition. This comes after the Committee called on the
Government to produce an impact assessment of the State Pension
age increase and to list the mitigations it has considered.
Witnesses
From 09.30
- Phil Mawhinney, Poverty, Income and Work Policy Manager, Age
UK;
- Morgan Vine, Director of Policy, Grants and Influencing,
Independent Age;
- Fabian Chessell, Central Government Lead, Policy in Practice.
From 10.30 (approx.)
- Dr Daniella Jenkins, Member of Policy Advisory Group and
incoming Director, Women's Budget Group;
- Tiffany Tsang, Head of DB, LGPS and Investment, Pensions UK;
- Justin Wray, Interim Assistant Director, Head of Long-term
Savings Policy, Association of British Insurers.
