What does WASPI stand for?
WASPI stands for Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI). The group believes many women weren’t properly informed about changes to the State Pension age, causing unexpected financial hardship.
WASPI is calling for fair treatment and compensation for those affected by these changes.
Why did the State Pension age change?
Historically, eligible women could claim their State Pension at 60, while men waited until 65. The government changed this to make the rules equal. These changes were introduced in the Pensions Act 1995 and sped up by the Pensions Act 2011.
Some women had to wait up to six more years to get their State Pension, with little time to prepare.
Who was affected?
Women born between 1950 and 1960 were most affected by these changes. How much their State Pension age changed depended on their exact date of birth. Here’s a breakdown of the changes.
- For women born before 6 April 1950 - State Pension age stayed at 60.
- For women born between 6 April 1950 and 5 December 1953 - State Pension age increased gradually from 60 to 65.
- For women born between 6 December 1953 and 5 October 1954 - State Pension age increased faster due to 2011 changes.
- For women born after 6 October 1954 - State Pension age increased further, reaching 66 and beyond.
Women born in the early 1950s often faced the biggest delays. Some saw their State Pension age rise by up to six years from what they originally expected.
What’s WASPI campaigning for?
Better communication
WASPI says many women didn’t receive clear or timely updates from the government. Some only found out about the State Pension age change shortly before expecting to retire. The campaign argues that individual letters should’ve been sent much earlier.
Many women say they first learned about the changes through word of mouth or media reports, rather than direct government communication. This meant they had little time to adjust their financial plans or career decisions.
Financial support and compensation
Women expecting to retire at 60, or who couldn’t find work later in life, were left without income. WASPI argues this caused real hardship, especially for those with caring responsibilities or little in long-term savings.
The campaign highlights that many affected women:
- had lower lifetime earnings than men;
- had gaps in their careers due to caring responsibilities;
- had less opportunity to build substantial private pensions; and/or
- faced age discrimination when looking for new employment.
WASPI is asking for money to help bridge the gap, recognition that communication was poor, and payments for money lost.
What’s the government response?
In March 2024, a government complaints service called the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman looked into this problem.
They agreed there had been poor communication. The investigation found the government took 28 months longer than they should’ve to send letters to the women affected. They said the government should pay up to £2,950 to each woman to apologise for the poor communication.
But in December 2024, the government rejected this idea. They said there was no proof that women lost money directly because of this. They also said paying this money would cost too much. The government argued that most women found out about the changes through other ways like TV or newspapers.
What’s happening now?
WASPI has started a judicial review - a court case that will check if the government’s decision to reject the compensation idea was fair. In February 2025, they asked the government to think again about their decision. WASPI has raised over £180,000 from supporters to pay for the lawyers and court costs.
What can you do if you’re affected?
Check your State Pension age
You can use PensionBee’s State Pension Age Calculator or call the Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175 to find out when you can claim.
Check your State Pension amount
Find out how much State Pension you’ll get when you can claim it using the State Pension forecast at GOV.UK. Your State Pension amount will depend on your National Insurance contributions (NICs) - specifically how many ‘qualifying years’ you have.
The GOV.UK tool will also show you if you have any gaps in your National Insurance (NI) record. These are years when you didn’t pay NI because you weren’t working or earning enough. If you have gaps, you might be able to make extra payments to fill them and increase your State Pension amount.
Review your finances
Think about whether you can afford to retire at your planned age. Consider what income you’ll need to bridge the gap. You might need to work longer or draw on other savings.
Find out what other support is available
Pension Credit
If you’re struggling financially and have reached the right age, you might be able to claim Pension Credit, if you’re retired and earn below a certain income.
Employment support
If you need to keep working, help is available for older individuals to find employment or retrain. Organisations like Startup School for Seniors offer courses for over 50s who want to start their own business.
Benefits advice
Groups like Citizens Advice can help you find out what benefits you might be able to claim, such as:
- Housing Benefit;
- Council Tax support; or
- other income support while you wait for your State Pension.
How to make a complaint
If you feel you weren’t told properly about the changes, you can send a complaint to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Where to find ongoing support and information
- WASPI - the campaign website shares updates, helpful fact sheets, and practical support for affected women.
- Pension Wise - this government-backed service offers free guidance, explaining the options you have when it comes to accessing your private or workplace pension. You can book an appointment via MoneyHelper once you turn 50.
- Citizens Advice - can help with benefits, work rights, and money guidance.
- Age UK - provides information and support specifically designed for older people.
Looking ahead
The fight to get money back continues through the courts, but you’re not alone. Thousands of women are in similar situations, and there are support networks to help.
While the court case continues, it’s important to focus on what you can control now. This means understanding your financial situation, looking into available support, and making practical plans for your future.
Risk warning
When investing, your capital is at risk. Investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest. This information should not be regarded as financial advice.
Last edited: 23-09-2025
