The issue of life expectancy and its impact on the state pension age is under scrutiny, as new data reveals a slowdown in life expectancy growth across the UK.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), life expectancy at birth for men in England fell by 1.7 years between 2021 and 2023 compared to 2017-2019, while in Wales, it dropped by 1.1 years. For women, the decline was even steeper, with life expectancy falling by 1.9 years in England and 2.2 years in Wales.
This trend has sparked a debate about future increases to the state pension age, which is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028 and then to 68 after 2044. Pension Minister Torsten Bell acknowledged the slowdown in life expectancy growth, stating that while life expectancy isn’t falling overall, it is not increasing as quickly as it once did. He described the situation as a “slow down of the pace of progress,” rather than a reversal, but emphasized that it still represents a significant challenge.
Bell highlighted that the next review of the state pension age, due in 2029, may need to consider this “lack of growth in longevity.” He also noted that life expectancy is plateauing or even declining for some groups in the UK, calling it a “big problem for the country” that extends beyond pensions to issues like healthcare and public health.
The data shows stark regional disparities in life expectancy. In England, the lowest life expectancy for men is in Blackpool (73.1 years), while the highest is in Hart (83.4 years). For women, Kensington and Chelsea have the highest life expectancy (86.5 years), compared to Blackpool’s 78.9 years.
In Scotland, Glasgow City has the lowest life expectancy (73.6 years for men and 78.3 for women), while East Renfrewshire has the highest (81 years for men and 84.5 for women). In Wales, Merthyr Tydfil has the lowest life expectancy for men (75.4 years), and Blaenau Gwent has the lowest for women (79 years), while Monmouthshire has the highest for both genders (80.4 years for men and 83.9 years for women).
The slowdown in life expectancy growth raises important questions about the sustainability of the state pension system and whether future increases to the pension age should be reconsidered. As the government prepares for the 2029 review, the issue is likely to remain a key topic of discussion, with implications for pensions, healthcare, and broader social policy.
