ISLWYN’S AM has backed plans to help end the plight of tens of thousands of women abandoned to live in poverty due to changes to their state pension age.

Under the plan, Pension Credit will be extended to those due to retire before the pension age increases of the last six years. The plan is aimed to alleviate the worst of the impacts for the most vulnerable women, and restore their dignity.

Rhianon Passmore AM said: “The lack of notice given to 1950s women regarding changes in the state pension age has left many facing real hardship. Women should not have to bear the burnt of economic mismanagement.

“Were calling on the Government to implement these plans to give vulnerable women some stability until their delayed state pension is available. It is however vital that action takes place now, to end the hardship they are now faced with. The concession would operate for affected women up to 2022.”

Recent changes have affected 2.6 million women across the UK, who would have retired under the 1995 Pensions Act. The new plans would extend eligibility to pension credit to these women, ensuring that they are not forced into being under the Government’s social security care.