Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has called for "decisive action" from the UK government to allow individuals with a terminal illness to access their state pension early.

In a letter to Department for Work and Pensions Minister Torsten Bell MP, Mr Lyons stressed that such a move would "ensure financial security and dignity for people in their final months".

The proposal, put forward by the end-of-life charity Marie Curie, would enable terminally ill individuals to claim their state pension based on their National Insurance contributions, supplemented to at least Pension Credit level. Marie Curie's 'Dying In Poverty' campaign highlights that approximately 111,000 people die in poverty each year across the UK, with over a quarter of working-age individuals experiencing financial hardship in their final year. Minister Lyons stated: "It is imperative that we do more to ensure financial security and dignity for people in their final months of life and I am urging Minister Bell to take decisive action on this issue." He added: "A terminal diagnosis should not be accompanied by the added burden of financial hardship but, unfortunately, this is the stark – and unacceptable – reality for too many."

He further endorsed Marie Curie's solution: "Marie Curie’s compassionate and practical solution would allow terminally ill individuals to access the state pension early, providing much-needed financial stability and some peace of mind during the most difficult of times."

While pensions are generally a devolved matter, Northern Ireland's pensions policy and legislation typically align with corresponding provisions in Great Britain. On 31 March 2025, the Northern Ireland Assembly unanimously supported a Private Members’ Motion that urged the UK government to implement legislative changes for early state pension access for those with a terminal diagnosis.

Minister Lyons has pledged to engage with the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of terminally ill individuals and to advocate for increased support. He concluded: "I am urging the UK government to act swiftly and compassionately to deliver meaningful change on early access to state pensions. No-one should be facing their final months with the added burden of financial distress and I will continue to press for a fair and compassionate system that meets the needs of those who are most vulnerable."