1,000 signatures reached
To: Iain Duncan Smith MP. Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
New State Pension should apply to all
Give the New State Pension to all above pension age who have the correct number of qualifying years of National Insurance contributions.
Why is this important?
Older people who have already retired, and those due to retire before 6th April 2016, are and will continue to receive the 'old' basic State Pension, currently £115.95 per week. Those retiring after 6th April 2016 will receive the new State Pension, currently £151.25 (to be finalised in autumn 2015). This is fundamentally unfair to existing pensioners, who in many cases fought for their country, and then worked and contributed all their lives, to be treated as second class citizens. Treat everyone the same, give them the new State Pension.
It is all very well to say "there is a safety net" of the benefits system, where poor pensioners can go, cap in hand, to explain how poor they are, show all their incomings and outgoings, and beg for state assistance, but understandably many pensioners have too much dignity to do this. It should not be necessary.
Be fair to the people who were fair to this country. Give them the same pension as everyone else will now receive. Be fair.
