(Image: Peter Byrne)
The Government is set to respond to calls for the State Pension age to be cut to 65 for everyone, after a petition passed the threshold needed to trigger an official response.
The petition, created by Michelle Gill, argues that lowering the State Pension age could allow older workers to retire with greater dignity while potentially freeing up jobs for younger people entering the labour market.
It has attracted 11,389 signatures, taking it beyond the 10,000 signatures needed to receive a Government response.
The petition was published on September 16 and is due to remain open until March 16, 2027.
Government must now respond to pension age demand
An update posted on the petition website on October 1 confirmed: “Government will respond to this petition.”
This does not mean the Government has agreed to reduce the State Pension age.
A Government response is triggered when a petition reaches 10,000 signatures, while petitions reaching 100,000 signatures are considered for debate in Parliament.
The petition can still be signed here.
Under current legislation, the State Pension age is increasing from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and April 2028.
Petition says change could help younger workers
The petition argues that reducing the pension age could have benefits beyond those approaching retirement.
It says: “We also think it could free up jobs for younger workers entering the labour market.”
The creator also argues that many people aged between 65 and 67 face health problems, caring responsibilities and limited employment opportunities.
The petition states that this can make continuing to work until State Pension age difficult and argues that people should be able to retire earlier.
State Pension age is currently rising
The State Pension age for men and women is currently 66, but is now rising to 67 in stages.
The change affects people born from April 6, 1960, with the State Pension age reaching 67 by March 2028.
The current timetable also provides for the State Pension age to rise from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046, although future changes remain subject to review and legislation.
That means the petition's proposed age of 65 would represent a significant reversal of the current timetable.
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What happens next?
The immediate next step is a Government response to the petition.
There is no indication in the petition update that ministers have agreed to the proposed reduction.
If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament. The petition remains open until March 16, 2027.
For now, people aged 65 and over should continue to check their individual State Pension age under the existing rules rather than assuming the proposed change will happen.