Striking a Chord: The Fight for Fair Pension Compensation for WASPI Women
Last year, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) highlighted that citizens in the UK were not sufficiently informed about the implications of the equalisation of the state pension age between men and women.
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As a result, numerous women found themselves unprepared for retirement, prompting the Waspi campaign to advocate for compensation.
A subsequent report from the PHSO suggested that women affected by the changes in the state pension age might be eligible for a Level 4 compensation, ranging from £1,000 to £2,750.
Nevertheless, the ombudsman deferred the decision to Members of Parliament to determine and vote on the appropriate compensation package for the Waspi women.
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Jane Cowley is among those demanding swift and fair compensation from the Government and has initiated a petition to support her cause.
Currently, the petition has garnered nearly 35,000 signatures, but it needs 100,000 to be considered for debate in Parliament. It is titled: Introduce a compensation scheme for Waspi women.
The petition states: We urge the Government to promptly respond to the PHSO report and establish a compensation scheme by March 21, 2025.
In March 2024, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman declared that women born in the 1950s deserved financial redress and an apology due to maladministration by the DWP.
Don't Overlook
The Ombudsman’s conclusions were supported by the cross-party Work and Pensions Select Committee, numerous MPs, and, according to our surveys, 68 per cent of the public. However, only the Government has the authority to rectify this injustice.
We have calculated that with one affected woman passing away every 13 minutes, there is no time for further delay.
According to the Waspi campaign, 300,000 women have died since the fight for compensation began.
Angela Madden, chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), stated: As the election approaches, Labour and Conservatives are in the final stretch to secure the votes of 3.6 million women.
Campaigners are urging policymakers to take more action for women born in the 1950s WASPI.
We appreciate the many candidates from all parties who have responded positively, but a new government must transition from warm words to tangible actions.
With one Waspi woman dying every 13 minutes, we will use our votes to demand justice for all those who have been so severely let down.
Regarding the PHSO's report, a spokesperson for the DWP commented: This was a significant report, necessitating serious consideration.
We will continue to listen respectfully to the women involved and ensure we learn from any lessons presented.
Find out if you’re a WASPI Woman using our checklist!
Estimate your potential payout using our WASPI Compensation Calculator now!
Find out how much money the government should owe you using our WASPI Financial Loss Calculator!
