The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign represents around 3.6 million women born in the 1950s who are challenging delays in receiving their state pensions. The legal dispute centers on the increase of the state pension age from 60 to 65 and later to 66, which left many women without timely access to their benefits. A High Court ruling in 2025 capped WASPI’s legal costs at £60,000 while the potential compensation could reach £10.5 billion.
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Why Women Are Suing
The dispute focuses on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and failures in communication. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman found that the DWP delayed notifying women about pension age changes by up to 28 months. The Ombudsman recommended compensation between £1,000 and £2,950 per woman, depending on individual circumstances. The Labour Government rejected this advice in December 2024, leading to WASPI’s legal challenge in April 2025.
Potential Compensation
| Compensation Per Woman | Estimated Total Cost |
|---|---|
| £1,000 | £3.6 billion |
| £2,950 | £10.5 billion |
This potential payout highlights the scale of the issue, as many affected women were forced to continue working unexpectedly, sometimes under financial strain or poor health.
Funding the Legal Fight
WASPI has raised over £225,000 through public donations and crowdfunding, including £79,000 in a single day. The High Court’s cost-capping decision ensures that the campaign can continue without facing overwhelming legal bills from the government. This allows the case to progress to a full hearing with financial protections in place.
Political Pressure on Labour
- Up to 150 Labour MPs may face political risk if compensation is denied.
- Ten Labour MPs supported an SNP-backed bill for payouts in January 2025.
- Labour leadership maintains that most women knew about the changes by 2006, making compensation demands excessive.
Next Steps
The case is expected to proceed to a full hearing in late 2025. The court will determine whether Labour’s refusal to provide compensation was lawful or whether a new system must be introduced to address the maladministration identified by the Ombudsman. The outcome will affect millions of women and could influence accountability in UK pension policy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who qualifies for WASPI compensation?
Women born in the 1950s affected by delays in receiving their state pension due to pension age increases. - How much compensation could each woman receive?
Between £1,000 and £2,950 depending on individual circumstances. - How is the legal fight funded?
Through public donations and crowdfunding, with cost-capping by the High Court to protect the campaign. - What is the potential total payout for all eligible women?
Up to £10.5 billion if maximum recommended compensation is granted. - When will the court decision be made?
A full hearing is expected in late 2025, after which the High Court will decide on compensation and policy remedies.
