Age UK response to the Budget

In response to the Chancellor, George Osborne's Budget speech, Age UK has issued the following response.

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General of Age UK said:

"We agree with the Chancellor that the current pension system is bafflingly complex and so we welcome his announcement that the Government is to bring in a flat rate pension and look forward to reading more detailed proposals.

"Age UK believes that a flat rate pension would enable future pensioners to feel clearer about their retirement income and plan accordingly.

"However it is important that the Government does not lose sight of the needs of current pensioners, 1.8million of whom are living in poverty.

State Pension Age

"On the Chancellor's announcement of an "automatic review" into increasing the State Pension Age, we recognise that as life expectancy increases it is reasonable to consider increases to State Pension age and longer working lives.

"However average life expectancy must not be the only factor that is considered as at the moment the huge disparities in healthy life expectancy across the country means that the poorest socio-economic groups will be required to sacrifice proportionately more of their retirement

Age-related tax allowance

"Older taxpayers will be disappointed that the Government has decided to scrap the age-related tax allowance. This will affect those with modest pensions and savings for their retirement.

Someone with an income as low as £10,500 who reaches 65 from April 2013 could be £259 a year worse than under the current system with very little time to adjust their financial retirement plans."