08 May 2012

State Pension Age For Women To Rise To 65 By 2018

The Northern Ireland Assembly has raised the state pension age for women to 65.

By 2018, women will have to be 65 to draw a state pension. In 2020, the age for both female and male state pensions rises to 66.

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland said concerns had been raised with Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith but changes to a bill to introduce the rise were not accepted.

"These were not accepted on grounds of cost and the maintenance of parity," McCauseland said.

"They reflected the level of concern felt by members about the increases in the state pension age and I share those concerns."

Mark Durkan of the SDLP has opposed the final stage of the bill.

"My regret stems from my belief that this assembly has, in rejecting amendments brought forward at earlier stages of the bill, missed an opportunity, not only to reduce the negative impact that this legislation will have on so many of our citizens, and on society as a whole, but also an opportunity for this assembly to show that it is capable of challenging the shackles of parity," he said.

(H)