As it stands, the UK state pension age is 66 and the full rate of the new state pension is £230.25 a week, which just one in five Scots pensioners say covers the basics. The age is due to increase to 67 between 2026-2028, and subsequently to 68 between 2044 and 2046.

Polling of more than 2000 Scots commissioned by the charity Independent Age found that 73% of people under 66 are worried they will not be able to afford the cost-of-living after retirement, while a majority (59%) are not prepared for it.

The charity said that around one in six older people in Scotland (around 160,000 people) are currently in poverty – and warned that the number could increase by 20,000 by the end of the next Scottish Parliament in 2031.

“Pensioner poverty isn’t just a problem for older people now. If we don’t act, it’ll be an even bigger problem for future generations”, Debbie Horne, Scotland policy and public affairs manager at Independent Age, said.

“People of all ages have told us that they feel worried about how they will make ends meet in retirement. Politicians must listen.

READ MORE: As Wales moves ahead, why are older Scots waiting for SNP action?

“For too long, this issue has been ignored. Poverty at any age is a social injustice, and none of us should spend our retirement living in financial hardship, unable to afford fresh food or the cost of heating. But for far too many older people in Scotland, this is now their daily reality.

“All political parties standing for election in May must commit to tackling the rising wave of poverty in later life.”

Independent Age called on parties going into the 2026 elections to back policies that it said would “halt rising levels of financial hardship in later life”.

Its five core asks are for politicians to:

Implement a national “Pensioner Poverty Strategy”.

Appoint a Commissioner for Older People, reflecting the Children’s Commissioner position which promotes and protects the rights of young people

Deliver a “decent and dignified social security system”, including a review of Pension Age Disability Payment by April 2027, with a focus on a mobility component.

Reduce energy bills.

Guarantee the “right to a secure and affordable home”.

The Department for Work and Pensions declined to comment on the polling, saying it would be one for the Scotland Office. In turn, the Scotland Office also declined to comment.

Responding, a Scottish Government spokesperson told The National: “The cost-of-living crisis continues to place burdens on households across the country and Ministers recognise this is unsettling for many people, including those in and facing retirement.

“Ensuring people have access to the essentials is a driving principle of the Scottish Government’s approach to social justice. That’s why more than £16 million has been allocated in the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 to invest in in the provision of free income maximisation support, welfare and debt advice services.

“Beyond that, as set out in the draft Budget, there are further plans to invest £7.2 billion in social security assistance in 2026-27, supporting around 2 million people and offering targeted support for pensioners including the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment which is providing vital help for older people.”  

The polling of 2189 Scots was conducted by the Diffley Partnership between February 4-8 2025.