Waspi woman, finally reached state pension age....

Scooby222
Scooby222 Community Member Posts: 53 Empowering
edited August 2025 in Benefits and income

I'm one of those Waspi women that the government keep trying to ignore(!) - and I've finally reached the required 66 years to start claiming my state pension. I've always worked full time and paid NI, so I will get the full amount.

Part of me thinks that it's an amazing present from the government, and I'm very excited to be finally getting this regular payment. Hurrah! The other (bigger) part of me thinks: you were supposed to start paying me this at 60 you ********, and I've worked and paid for this all my life! 😡 And no, you didn't do enough to let everyone know in good time that it was going to change!

Whatever, it will be great to finally have my payments start next month.... But however did I get this old? 🤔😊

Comments

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 5,424 Online Community Team

    That's fantastic news @Scooby222, really pleased for you! 😀🙌 But yes, with that being said I completely understand it must feel very bitter sweet.

  • Scooby222
    Scooby222 Community Member Posts: 53 Empowering
    edited August 2025

    Thanks Holly_Scope, I'm very happy to be getting it finally, but it's made me wonder whether other Waspi women feel or have felt conflicted when they finally reached state pension age? The mixed feelings have taken me by surprise.
    It's lovely to have made it to 66 though! 🙂

  • Girl_No1
    Girl_No1 Community Member Posts: 414 Trailblazing

    I don't think they thought this through properly. I always maintained it would have been much fairer if they'd made the retirement age for everyone, say, 63/64 rather than simply move the age for women to initially match men, then increase both in tandem going forward.

    I'm a prime example of someone who would, had the legislation not changed, have pushed-on for that extra couple of years, living off my savings, until I was paid state pension at 60 without claiming disability benefits.

    As it is, DWP now pay me PIP and NS-ESA (more combined than state pension), and as it stands I will retain PIP post state pension age.

    Anyway, congratulations on making it to 66.

  • Scooby222
    Scooby222 Community Member Posts: 53 Empowering

    Hi Girl_No1, I agree with you about the pension age changes being badly thought-through. I get PIP too and that has been keeping me afloat during the last 6 pension-free years. I've just had my first PIP review, and discovered that it will carry on now until my next review in 10 years. So I have not been as badly hit as many other Waspi women at least. I'm glad that you have had this help too, it can make such a difference.

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 5,693 Championing

    Congratulations, Scooby!!!

    I'm very nearly halfway through my EXTRA 7 YEARS hurrah! Imagine the uproar if men had 7 years slapped onto their expected retirement age. What a distorted idea of equality!

  • Scooby222
    Scooby222 Community Member Posts: 53 Empowering
    edited September 2025
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1064214#Comment_1064214

    Ouch, 7 years is even worse, if it's any consolation, the extra 6 years for me seemed like forever when i turned 60, but the last couple of years have flown by. I had actually forgotten about the state pension until I received a letter from gov.uk telling me that it was about to start.

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 5,693 Championing

    Scooby, I'd still be fuming with 6 more! Just glad to be halfway because it's gone quickly for me, too. Happy that you got there 🎉

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 5,693 Championing

    Chris, the polls show a centre-left 55-45 lead over the collective right wing.

    Make yourself a nice cuppa - that won't happen 🍵

  • Otteline
    Otteline Community Member Posts: 63 Contributor
    edited September 2025

    deleted

  • Scooby222
    Scooby222 Community Member Posts: 53 Empowering

    Otteline's post was deleted before I could read it 🙁

    I've now had my first SP payment and it still feels amazing! This will make life so much easier, still feels like a gift. 😃

  • Albus_Alumni
    Albus_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 11,423 Championing

    Glad it's come through @Scooby222 excellent news!

  • Scooby222
    Scooby222 Community Member Posts: 53 Empowering

    I have reached State Pension age, but that does not mean that i have retired! I am still working and plan to do so for the next couple of years at least. I have tried 'not working' but got so bored after two days that I was crawling the walls! Luckily I am self employed so can continue until it is no longer enjoyable or doable, but I can cut down my hours as I want to.

    I'm so sorry to hear about your friend MW123, that sounds appalling! I had no idea that the systems are so badly aligned, what a nightmare for her.

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