35,000 women across Tayside and Fife hit by pension changes

Tens of thousands of women in Tayside and Fife are being hit in the pocket by UK Government changes to state pensions, according to new figures.

Campaigners say that while increasing the female pension age to 65 was the correct move, it was done unfairly – leaving the retirement plans of up to half a million women “shattered”.

Across Courier Country, 35,000 women born in the 1950s are believed to be affected.

In Fife, 13,000 women are impacted, compared with 9,000 in Perthshire, 8,000 in Dundee and 4,000 in Angus.

Stephen Gethins, the SNP MP for North East Fife, said the Queen’s Speech was “painfully silent” on the matter.

“An estimated 35,000 women in Courier Country are estimated to be facing financial hardship because of the Tories’ mismanaged and poorly communicated changes to the state pension age,” he said. “The Queen’s Speech was the Tories’ opportunity to win back the pensioners they turned their backs on.

“U-turns seem to be Theresa May’s speciality.

“It’s time her Government got on with the day job and delivered fairness for the millions of struggling women who are due their pensions.”

While equalisation of the pension age was welcomed by campaigners, they say little or no notice about the changes left women unable to make alternative retirement plans.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said: “The decision to equalise the state pension age between men and women was made over 20 years ago and achieves a long-overdue move towards gender equality.

“There are no plans to change the transitional arrangements already in place.

“Women retiring today can still expect to receive the state pension for 25 years on average.”