To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) any discussions he, or his Department has had with the Department for Work and Pensions regarding the Third State Pension age review; and (ii) how he intends to ensure that the implications for people due to retire between April 2026 and April 2028 are taken into account.

I have been assured by the Minister for Pensions in the Department for Work and Pensions, Torsten Bell MP, that the differences between the countries and regions of the UK, including Northern Ireland, will be considered during the State Pension age review. I have asked my officials to collaborate with their counterparts at the Department for Work and Pensions throughout this process to provide any relevant Northern Ireland data requested.

On 15 September, I, along with officials from my Department, met with Dr Suzy Morrissey, who was appointed by the UK Government to prepare an Independent Report to examine factors the Government should consider in determining the State Pension age. Other key stakeholders in attendance on the day were representatives from Advice NI and Age NI, as well as the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland.

The scope of the third State Pension age review, and the resulting Independent Report, is to consider the key factors the UK Government should take into account in determining State Pension age for future decades, balancing consideration of fairness and sustainability.

The current timetable for Northern Ireland and Great Britain, as per the Pensions Act 2014, is that State Pension age will be raised to age 67 for everyone from 6 April 2028. This is to be increased gradually between 6 April 2026 and 5 April 2028, with people who reach State Pension age during this transition phase having been previously notified by letter.

Individuals who reach State Pension age during this transition phase will be unaffected by this latest review. The final report is not due until March 2029, and State Pension age during the period in question has already been legislated for.

Further details on the scope and terms of the Independent Report, part of the third review of State Pension age, can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/third-review-of-state-pension-age-independent-report-terms-of-reference