Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department is taking steps to support women impacted by changes to the State Pension age with top-up contributions.

The Government seeks to support people to help them to retain, return to or progress in work. That is why the Government is reforming employment support to ensure it supports people of all ages.

For those people who are unable to work but who are not eligible for pensioner benefits because of their age, financial support is available through the welfare system.

The new State Pension, introduced in 2016, addresses historically poorer outcomes for women. Since the introduction of the new State Pension, National Insurance Contributions and National Insurance Credits have equal value, providing access to the same level of entitlement for all. In addition, there is a comprehensive framework of National Insurance credits available when people are out of the workforce, maybe caring for children or elderly relatives.

For people with gaps in their National Insurance record, they may want to consider voluntary contributions. Many can now use the Check your State Pension forecast service to buy voluntary National Insurance contributions online.