The WASPI campaign (Women Against State Pension Inequality) is eagerly awaiting the DWP to issue its new compensation decision. The WASPI campaign are one of several advocacy groups who have been battling for over a decade to secure DWP compensation for women born in the 1950s.

This is the generation of women who were affected by the increase in the state pension age for women from 60 to 65 and then 66. They argue that these women were inadequately informed about the changes and should receive payouts as a result, as many were left in the dark until the last moment, causing their retirement plans to be thrown into disarray.

An inquiry by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman suggested compensation amounts ranging from £1,000 to £2,950, concluding that the DWP should have sent letters to the affected women earlier. However, in December 2024, the Labour Government announced they would not be providing any compensation, arguing that most women were aware of the change.

They also contended that sending out the letters earlier would have made little difference. Despite this setback, WASPI successfully applied for a judicial review, which was scheduled for December 2025.

However, at the eleventh hour, the DWP announced it would retract its decision not to award compensation, and that this decision would be reconsidered. This meant that the judicial review did not go ahead, with the DWP settling out of court with the WASPI campaign.

The department agreed to fork out £180,000 towards WASPI’s legal costs and also committed to a timetable for issuing a new decision. In a court document shared by WASPI, the DWP agreed to “approach all aspects of the decision with a fresh and open mind”.

As part of the settlement, ministers agreed to “take and communicate a new decision in response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s investigation within three months of the date of this order”. As the order was issued on December 3, this would mean the deadline for the new decision is Tuesday, March 3. The DWP was asked for an update about the new decision.

What is the current state pension age?

In light of the WASPI debacle, those planning for their retirement may want to make a note of when their state pension age is. The state pension age for both men and women is currently 66.

However, this will be changing very soon, as the access age will gradually increase from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and April 2028. The state pension age is set to go up again from 67 to 68 between April 2044 and April 2046.

The Government announced last year there would be another review of the state pension age. The last review, published in 2023, recommended bringing forward the timetable for the move from 67 to 68, but this suggestion was not taken up by the then Conservative Government.

For the latest money saving tips, shopping and consumer news, go to the new Everything Money website.