An independent investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) into changes made to the State Pension age is expected to conclude early this year.
The Ombudsman recently confirmed any recommendations it makes to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), following the publication of its final report into ‘injustice caused by the maladministration’ of changes to the State Pension age, will be applied to “everyone who has been similarly affected” by the failings it identifies.That will include any recommended financial remedy and could see around 3.6 million women born in the 1950s receive compensation after waiting five years for the outcome.
The PHSO investigation began in 2018, but due to the complexity of the case, some 650 pieces of evidence had to be reviewed, and after a legal challenge funded by thousands of WASPI women (Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign) into stage two (injustice) findings, it agreed to look again at its decision, causing further delays.
It recently shared an update on progress of the investigation on its website and explained the reasons for the delays to the publication of stage two and stage three (remedy).