In a bold move, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has pledged to compensate WASPI women—those affected by sudden changes to the state pension age—with a £10,000 payment.
This proposal is a response to the financial hardship and lack of proper notice experienced by thousands of women born in the 1950s.
The payment, if approved and implemented, would provide long-awaited financial recognition and justice for those impacted.
Who Are the WASPI Women?
WASPI stands for Women Against State Pension Inequality. These women were born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1960 and faced unexpected increases in the state pension age. The original retirement age of 60 was gradually raised to 65 and later to 66, aligning it with men’s retirement age.
Many of these women say they received little or no notice, leaving them without sufficient time to prepare financially. As a result, thousands were forced to work longer or faced financial hardship during what they thought would be their retirement years.
Details of the £10,000 SNP Proposal
The SNP has proposed a £10,000 one-off compensation to eligible WASPI women. This goes significantly beyond previously discussed figures and aims to account for the emotional, financial, and long-term hardship suffered by these women.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Payment Amount | £10,000 (proposed, not final) |
| Who Qualifies | Women born 6 April 1950 – 5 April 1960 |
| Payment Type | One-off, tax-free compensation |
| Status | Proposal – under discussion |
| Payment Timeline | Yet to be confirmed |
The pledge acknowledges the administrative failure and lack of adequate communication that affected nearly 3.8 million women across the UK.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the proposed compensation:
- You must be a woman born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1960
- You were not properly notified of the increase in the state pension age
- You experienced financial or emotional hardship as a result
Eligibility is based on your date of birth and the impact of the changes on your life. There may be an application or verification process when the plan is implemented.
When Will the £10,000 Be Paid?
At present, this is a policy proposal and has not been formally approved or passed into law. If accepted and funded, a payment timeline will be confirmed.
Until then, the payment remains under review and would require cross-party support or legislative action before any funds are distributed. Those potentially eligible are advised to stay alert for future government announcements or application instructions.
The SNP’s £10,000 compensation pledge offers a glimmer of hope to WASPI women seeking justice after years of financial disruption. While not yet confirmed, the proposal could significantly ease the burdens faced by those caught off guard by the state pension age changes.
If implemented, it would mark one of the largest compensations of its kind—so it’s crucial to stay informed and ready to act if the plan moves forward.
FAQs
Is this compensation guaranteed?
No, it is currently a proposal. While widely supported by many, it has not yet been legislated or approved for payment.
Do I need to apply for the payment now?
No application process has started yet. Details will be shared if and when the proposal is officially approved.
What if I’ve already received a different pension adjustment?
This proposed £10,000 payment is separate from any past adjustments or state pension payments.