Thousands of people have echoed calls to cut the DWP State Pension age to 60 for everyone, and to increase the rates to reflect a job paying the National Living wage.

In a new petition, Give State Pension to all at 60 and increase it to equal 48hrs of Living Wage, Denver Johnson says: “We want the Government to make the State Pension available from the age of 60 and increase this to equal 48hrs a week at the National Living Wage.

“Hence from April 2025 a Universal State Pension should be £586.08 per week or about £30,476.16 per year as a right to all including expatriates, age 60 and above.

“We think that Government policy seems intent on the State Pension being a benefit not paid to all, while ever increasing the age of entitlement. We want reforms to the State Pension, so that it is available to all including expatriates, from age 60, and linked to the National Living Wage, for security.”

The petition, which can be signed here , now has more than 14,000 signatures.

The Government responds to all petitions that get more than 10,000 signatures, and at 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.

Is it still possible to retire at 60?

Many people do, but Scott Gallacher, Director at  Leicester-based Rowley Turton , warns: “Early retirement isn’t dead, but for the squeezed middle it’s now more fantasy than plan. Years of stealth tax rises, soaring house prices and the end of cheap mortgages mean they’re under more pressure than ever.

“At the same time, parents are living longer, so inheritances arrive later — if at all — while adult children need more help thanks to frozen student loan thresholds and eye-watering house prices.

“Add higher mortgage costs and the 2027 ‘pension IHT raid’ eating into what they might one day inherit, and you’ve got the most financially stretched generation in decades.

“Early retirement is still achievable but it’s about being realistic, keeping your spending in check and squirrelling your money away in pensions and ISAs, etc. Otherwise, the only way to retire early now is for both partners to work full-time perhaps until their late 60s, something their parents rarely had to do.”

Graham Wells, Founder at  Haddington-based GroWiser Financial Coaching , agrees that there is an ongoing recalibration in the way people approach retirement: “The whole concept of retirement is starting to slowly die off. People are exploring more creative ways to manage their life and money.

“I frequently speak with clients who do not like the word ‘retirement’ at all. People in their 40s and 50s are conscious of needing to maintain a sense of purpose in later life so, rather than aiming for retirement, they’re looking at working less for longer or starting up lifestyle businesses.

“I’m also seeing more interest in the concept of financial independence, which is perfectly achievable for those who begin early enough and manage their money well.

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“It’s true that the “sandwich generation” is experiencing a squeeze on their money, but with creative thinking and careful financial planning, a good lifestyle can still be achieved for later life.”

Daniel Wiltshire, an independent financial adviser at  Bradford-on-Avon-based Wiltshire Wealth , said: “There’s a huge generational divide.

“Those over the age of 50 have typically already paid off a good chunk of their mortgage and have benefitted from low interest rates.

“Some are enrolled in generous final salary schemes and can reasonably expect to receive the State Pension from age 67.

“In contrast, under 50s are struggling: tax is at a post-war high, childcare costs are ruinous, property prices are eye-watering and there’s the worrying prospect of state support being scaled back in future; the early retirement dream for the under-50s seems more distant than ever.”