DWP rejects cut to State Pension age of 65

The UK government has rejected a petition’s call to reduce the State Pension age to 65, saying it has no plans to make the cut. The Department for Work and Pensions published its response on 13 October. The petition remains open. It had 81,270 signatures when Parliament’s data was checked at 8.06pm on Wednesday 14 October, including 6,473 across the 32 Welsh constituencies.

Welsh support, but no policy change

Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney had the largest Welsh constituency total at 322 signatures, followed by Caerphilly with 269. Cover calculated the Welsh total by adding the constituency counts in Parliament’s published data. These are petition signatures, not a representative poll of opinion. The petition argues that poor health, caring responsibilities and limited work options can make it difficult for people aged 65 to 67 to keep working. DWP acknowledges barriers faced by older workers but says the pension age must balance fairness between generations and the public finances.

What the response changes

DWP says the existing rise from 66 to 67 began in April 2026 and is due to finish in March 2028. Its response does not announce a new increase or bring the age down to 65. A third State Pension age review is under way. The department says it will consider life-expectancy evidence and independent reports when assessing the position for future decades. That review has not itself set a new pension age. At 100,000 signatures, the petition would be considered for a parliamentary debate. Passing that threshold would not guarantee a debate or change the law.

Check your own date

The State Pension age is the earliest age at which someone can receive their State Pension. It can differ from the age at which a workplace or personal pension becomes available. Readers can check their own date using the official GOV.UK State Pension age tool. The petition and the government’s response do not change an individual’s entitlement.