Thousands of women born in the 1950s have been fighting for justice over changes to their state pension age, which were not properly communicated to them. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign has been at the forefront of this battle, demanding compensation for the financial and emotional distress caused by government failures.

Following an investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), it was recommended that affected women receive payouts between £1,000 and £2,950. However, the UK government has declined to offer compensation, leaving many women frustrated and seeking further action. Here’s everything you need to know about the situation, the potential payouts, and what it means for those affected.

What Is the WASPI Campaign?

The WASPI campaign was formed to represent women born in the 1950s who were impacted by state pension age changes. Originally, women could claim their state pension at 60, but the government gradually increased the age to 65 and later to 66, aligning it with men’s pension age.

The problem? Many women claim they were not adequately informed about these changes, leaving them without sufficient time to plan financially for their retirement. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) failed to provide proper notification, and as a result, many women faced unexpected hardship.

For more details on the campaign, visit the official WASPI website.

PHSO Investigation and Recommended Payouts

After years of lobbying, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) investigated the complaints and concluded that the DWP was guilty of maladministration in how it communicated pension age changes. In March 2024, the PHSO recommended that affected women receive compensation between £1,000 and £2,950, depending on the level of financial distress caused.

This recommendation was a crucial moment for WASPI campaigners, as it provided official acknowledgment that women were treated unfairly. However, the PHSO does not have the power to enforce payouts it can only advise the government on what should be done.

Government’s Response: No Compensation Planned

Despite the PHSO’s findings, the UK government has refused to pay compensation to affected women. In December 2024, then-Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall stated that payouts would not be “fair or proportionate” to taxpayers, arguing that most women had been aware of the gradual changes since 1995.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer also echoed these concerns, stating that compensation would cost billions and was simply not financially viable. Instead, the government has focused on improving pension services rather than offering individual redress.

Reactions from WASPI and MPs

The government’s refusal to compensate WASPI women has sparked widespread backlash.

• WASPI leaders have condemned the decision, stating that it undermines the role of the ombudsman and ignores the hardship faced by thousands of women.
• Some Labour MPs have criticized the government, accusing them of betraying the affected women by refusing to follow the PHSO’s recommendations.
• The Conservative opposition has also weighed in, with some MPs arguing that the government should at least offer partial compensation to ease the financial burden.

Campaigners have vowed to continue their fight, with legal action and further political pressure on the table.

What Can Affected Women Do?

If you are a 1950s-born woman affected by the state pension changes, here’s what you can do:

1. Check Your Eligibility

While no compensation has been confirmed, you can still check whether you fall within the affected group. Use the State Pension Age Checker on the UK government’s website:
Check Your Pension Age

2. Stay Informed and Join the WASPI Campaign

WASPI continues to fight for compensation. By joining their movement, you can stay updated on new developments and take part in lobbying efforts.

3. Seek Legal Advice

Some law firms specialize in pension disputes and may be able to offer guidance on whether legal action is an option.

4. Write to Your MP

Many MPs support the WASPI cause. You can write to your local MP and urge them to back compensation efforts. Find your MP’s contact details.

Will Compensation Ever Happen?

As of March 2025, there is no official compensation scheme for WASPI women. However, campaigners remain hopeful that political pressure and potential legal action could force the government to reconsider.

With ongoing debates and public scrutiny, the issue is far from over. Many believe that a change in government policy or a successful legal challenge could still lead to payouts in the future.

For now, WASPI women continue their fight, refusing to accept what they see as a government failure to take responsibility.

Conclusion

The WASPI campaign highlights a critical issue of fairness and government accountability. While the PHSO has backed their claims and recommended payouts of £1,000 to £2,950, the government has refused to act on these findings.

For the thousands of women affected, the battle is not just about money—it’s about recognition and justice for the hardship they have endured.

With the campaign gaining momentum and legal challenges on the horizon, this issue is far from settled. The fight for compensation continues, and affected women remain determined to hold the government accountable.