Barbara: Over £50k was stolen
A GRANNY who had more than £50,000 “stolen” from her by the raising of the pension age said the compensation being offered “isn’t going to make a dent” in the money she is owed.
Barbara Fulton, 65, from Paisley, was initially due to get the state pension in August 2018, but will not receive it until later this year.
It means the grandmotherof-four will have missed out on roughly £54,500 over a six-year period.
The lack of a pension forced the former facility officer for East Renfrewshire Council to continue working past 60, the age at which she had planned to retire.
She claims the compensation being offered – about £3000 – was “absolutely shocking”.
She said: “I don’t know how they could come to that figure.
“People are losing more than £50,000.
“A few thousand isn’t going to make a dent in it.
“And it could be long enough for us to get anything. “We have got to keep fighting.” She was doubtful that the Tories would provide any compensation before the general election.
She said: “I don’t have faith in the Government that’s in power just now.
“I don’t think the money will come across if they’re in.
“At the general election, if they Labour Party gets in, I think they might look at it and come across with something for us.”
She continued: “I’m happy about the report but it’s a pity it’s had to come to this.
“To put it bluntly, the Government has actually stolen our money from us.
“In my case, it’s just over £54,500, if you count it from when I should have got my first payment when I was 60 up until 66 when I am due my payment.
“That’s a lot of money which I have paid into for all my working life.
“I was due to retire when I was 60 and obviously that was taken away from me without any consultation or anything at all.”