Oxford News
State Pension age 68 plan could affect millions born in the 1970s
Under current law, the State Pension age is due to rise from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
However, it’s been shown that new Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) documents assume the increase will instead happen between 2037 and 2039 as part of the Government’s current policy position for its economic forecasts.
If that timetable were ultimately adopted, the increase would come around seven years earlier than current legislation provides.
Who could be affected?
An earlier increase could affect around five million people, particularly those who are currently aged between 49 and 55.
Instead of becoming eligible for their State Pension at 67, they could have to wait until they turn 68.
For many people, that would mean working for another year or relying on other sources of income before becoming eligible for the State Pension.
Why is an earlier rise being discussed?
The OBR says delaying the increase would add significantly to Government spending.
Its latest documents state: “If the state pension age were to rise to 68 in 2044-45 in line with legislation, rather than the Government’s stated policy that the rise to 68 will happen in 2037-39, this would cost an average additional £6 billion in today’s terms in each of the years the state pension age rise is delayed.”
Ministers say no decision has been made
Despite the OBR’s assumption, ministers have stressed that the Government has not announced any change to the law.
Responding to reports about the OBR documents, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell said on X that the reports were ‘just wrong’. He added: “We have not announced any change of policy – and certainly not this specific one. There is currently a review of the State Pension age underway – that is simply because legislation (the 2014 Act) requires the Secretary of State to conduct such reviews on a fairly regular basis.”
He also referred to previous changes to the State Pension age, saying: “If you want to see what we’ve actually said – not least about the 2011 disaster of raising the State Pension age in a rush that gave some people only 5yrs notice – you can read the (long) evidence I gave to the Select Committee recently.”
This story is just wrong https://t.co/RJkBkgcf98
— Torsten Bell (@TorstenBell) July 14, 2026
Experts urge caution
The prospect of bringing forward the increase has prompted concern from experts, who warn many older people are already struggling to remain in work until they reach State Pension age.
Dr Carole Easton OBE, Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “It is extremely worrying if the Treasury is thinking of making the next rise in state pension age in just over a decade’s time.
“The government needs to be very careful about making this change.
“During the rise to 66, it doubled the poverty rates for 64-year-olds.
“A recent parliamentary committee report warned the impact is likely to be even bigger now for the current rise to 67.”
She said it was difficult to see the case for accelerating the timetable: “Other than the substantial savings the Treasury will make from making people wait longer for their State Pension, it is hard to see what evidence could be used to justify introducing the next rise sooner.”
Can everyone work until 68?
Dr Easton said many people already face significant barriers to working later in life.
She said: “Working until you are 68 is very far from the norm. Only one in five people currently do so.
“It is not viable for everyone to work this long for a range of reasons – health, ageism, caring responsibilities, inflexible employers freezing many people out of work.”
She also highlighted differences in healthy life expectancy across the country.
“There are places in this country where the healthy life expectancy is more than a decade below the current state pension age.
“Progress on this issue has stalled, we cannot just assume we are all going to be living longer and healthier lives.”
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What happens next?
No legislation has yet been introduced to bring forward the increase in the State Pension age.
The Government is carrying out the latest statutory review of the State Pension age, which is required under existing legislation.
Once that review concludes, ministers will decide whether to recommend changes to the timetable before any proposal is put before Parliament.
For now, the legal position remains that the State Pension age will rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046, unless Parliament approves a change.
The Seattle-based coffee shop giant opened its 60-seat new cafe in the town’s market place in December 2021.
Now it is understood that the branch is expected to close in September.
READ MORE: Starbucks to open 60-seat cafe in Abingdon
One member of staff said : “Yes we are closing in September – it’s the talk of the town.
“I don’t know the reasons – there are a lot of independent cafes in Abingdon.”
When Starbucks opened in Abingdon, the branch manager at the time Wayne McHugh said he was delighted with the positive reception from people in the town.
He said: “It’s been amazing – people were queuing outside at 9am waiting to come in.
“I know it’s competitive here – I’ve been round all Abingdon’s coffee shops – but I do think Starbucks can add something very positive.
“It’s a big brand name but we do want to become part of the community.”
The town’s Starbucks is surrounded by other cafes, including independents.
There is a branch of Costa in the market place, together with Java and R&R, and Missing Bean, a short distance away in Stert Street, recently celebrated its fifth birthday.
Throwing Buns is a cafe on the opposite side of the market place, close to the town museum and there are other cafes throughout the town including those in High Street and Bath Street.
Abingdon has a strong claim to being the oldest continuously inhabited town in England.
There are other Starbucks coffee shops across Oxfordshire.
The chain has cafes in Oxford, Bicester and Banbury, and at Welcome Break Oxford services at junction 8A of the M40 at Waterstock, and at the Peartree interchange in north Oxford.
A year ago, Pablo Lounge, a restaurant and bar on the corner of Bury Street precinct close to Market Place, closed and so far nothing has replaced.
The town’s Nat West bank branch in Market Place also closed last year.
The Starbucks chain operates more than 1,300 cafes across the UK.
The chain pledged to open another 500 coffeehouses in the UK in the next five years, with 75 new cafes opening this year.
Starbucks has been asked to comment.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid footballer was at the semi final yesterday evening (July 16) and watched as England were agonisingly beaten 2-1 by Argentina.
After Anthony Gordon opened the scoring for the Three Lions in the 55th minute, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez scored in the 85th and Lautaro Martinez hit the winner in the 92nd.
READ MORE: Despair as flawless psychic dog makes England V Argentina prediction
Sir David was at the match at the Atlanta Stadium with his wife Victoria, and both could be seen celebrating England’s opening goal.
The pair have lived in west Oxfordshire for several years, sharing a mansion in the Cotswolds where they keep animals such as chickens.
After the defeat, Becks took to social media to try and rally disheartened England fans after the defeat.
He said: “Heartbreak for us all but memories that inspire and last forever… Thank you to our team, our fans & our country for what you have given us in this World Cup.”
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson issues warning to public ahead of Cotswolds pub event
His wife shared heart emojis in response to his statement as did many other members of the public with the post racking up over 750,000 likes.
Following the defeat to Argentina, Lionel Messi’s men will play Spain in the World Cup final this Sunday.
England will face France in the 3rd/4th Place Play-Off on Saturday.
Winston, a whippet from Oxford, has predicted all of England’s matches correctly so far and has now made its call for this evening’s semi-final.
Shaun, Winston’s owner, said: “This is, perhaps, Winston’s boldest statement to date.
“I’m 30 – I’ve never experienced England playing in a FIFA World Cup final before.
READ MORE: Sara Cox’s BBC salary revealed amid £430,000 UK charity collapse
“His predictions have been true to form throughout the entire tournament, but here’s hoping those psychic powers have now run out.”
Shaun is hoping Winston’s powers have vanished as the psychic pooch has predicted Argentina to win and progress through to the final against Spain, causing despair among the dog’s English fans.
Winston’s predictions have become a fixture of the tournament thanks to a light-hearted campaign by Oxford PR agency Fortitude Communications, in support of The Joey Beauchamp Foundation.
The foundation was set up in memory of former Oxford United footballer Joey Beauchamp, who died by suicide in 2022.
The charity aims to support men’s mental health across Oxfordshire.
Each year, one in four adults and one in 10 children in the UK experience mental illness, with around 165,000 people in Oxfordshire impacted—enough to fill the Kassam Stadium more than 13 times.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson issues warning to public ahead of Cotswolds pub event
Shaun said: “Joey’s friends and family want to create a lasting legacy in his honour.
“Mental health challenges can affect any person and can be entirely unforeseen.
“It’s very possible we’ll never know which of our loved ones are handling a particular situation unless we proactively check in.
“So, it’s worthwhile to ignite a conversation not only during this World Cup but beyond the final too.”
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