For millions of women born in the 1950s, the battle over state pension rights has become a defining struggle of their later years. Now, a pivotal moment looms: the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign will have its long-anticipated judicial review heard at the High Court on December 9 and 10, 2025. This legal showdown, years in the making, could reshape how the UK government compensates those affected by the controversial rise in the state pension age—and it’s sparking fresh debate about fairness, awareness, and the adequacy of support for older Britons.
WASPI’s challenge centers on the government’s decision, announced at the end of 2024, to deny compensation to women who saw their state pension age incrementally raised from 60 to 65 and then to 66. Many of these women say they were blindsided by the shift, having received little or no official notice before their retirement plans were upended. According to WASPI, the government’s communications were inadequate, leaving thousands facing financial hardship and uncertainty when they expected to retire.
In an update to supporters, WASPI stated, “If our case is successful, the judge will rule that none of the Government's reasons for refusing compensation are rational and order them to go back to the drawing board.” The group’s determination is clear, and so is the scale of their legal preparation. On August 29, 2025, the government served WASPI’s legal team with “hundreds—possibly thousands—of pages of material” outlining its defense. This includes what’s known as the ‘Detailed Grounds of Resistance,’ a comprehensive explanation of why officials believe their decision was justified. WASPI’s lawyers are now poring over every page, preparing their response for December’s hearing.
Behind the legal jargon lies a very human story. Many women were unaware that they would need to wait several additional years before accessing their state pension—a change that, for some, meant delaying retirement, taking on extra work, or facing unexpected financial strain. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, after investigating the issue, concluded that payouts should be made to these women, with recommended amounts ranging from £1,000 to £2,950. Yet, despite this recommendation, the government stood firm. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced before Parliament that there would be no compensation, arguing that most women did know about the increase and that sending out letters sooner would have made little difference.
This stance has not gone unchallenged. The WASPI campaign, bolstered by the support of individual MPs and several political parties—including the Liberal Democrats and the SNP—has pressed ahead with its legal fight. Their grassroots fundraising effort has already raised over £240,000, with campaigners hoping to reach a target of £270,000 to cover mounting legal costs. “If you, family or friends can afford to top up our CrowdJustice fighting fund a little to help cover the costs, that would be greatly appreciated,” WASPI urged in its latest message to backers.
While the WASPI campaign dominates headlines, another significant shift is taking place in the world of retirement benefits. According to new figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), applications for Pension Credit have soared by 44% in the year following a major policy announcement on July 29, 2024. The change, which limited Winter Fuel Payments to those on Pension Credit and other specific income-related benefits, appears to have driven awareness and action. Applications jumped by 98,200, reaching a total of 320,300, and by the end of July 2025, around 181,100 Pension Credit applications had been processed and approved—a surge of 57,200 more successful claims compared to the previous year.
Pension Credit now assists 1.4 million elderly people on low incomes throughout the UK, providing a vital lifeline for many who might otherwise struggle to make ends meet. As David Brooks, Head of Policy at Broadstone, told the Daily Record, “It is great news over 57,000 more pensioners entitled to Pension Credit are now receiving this important financial benefit to support their retirement incomes.” But Brooks also sounded a note of caution: “Pension Credit is explicitly targeted at lower income pensioners but hundreds of thousands of eligible retired households are still not claiming this benefit. While the UK Government's policy on Winter Fuel Payments has grown awareness of this issue and increased take up of Pension Credit significantly, the rise of claimants in the past year still does not get near to closing the gap sufficiently.”
Pension Credit remains the most under-claimed benefit of its kind, designed to deliver extra financial assistance for elderly people on modest incomes—both singles and couples. Some older Britons mistakenly believe that having savings or owning their home disqualifies them, but even an entitlement of just £1 per week can unlock a host of additional supports, from help with housing and heating costs to discounts on Council Tax and free TV licences for those aged 75 or over.
There are two types of Pension Credit: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. Guarantee Credit tops up weekly income to £227.10 for a single person and £346.60 for a couple, with higher amounts available for those who are disabled, carers, or have certain housing costs. Savings Credit, available only to those who reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or whose partner did, provides up to £17.30 per week for singles and £19.36 for couples. The exact sum depends on income, savings, and capital over £10,000.
Applying for Pension Credit is straightforward, and people can start their application up to four months before reaching State Pension age. Claims can be backdated for up to three months, ensuring that eligible pensioners don’t miss out on support. The process involves providing details about income, savings, investments, and benefits, and applications can be made online, by phone, or by post. For those unsure about eligibility, the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator offers a quick way to check potential benefits.
One important caveat: since May 2019, ‘mixed age couples’—where one partner is above State Pension age and the other is not—are considered a ‘working age’ couple for means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners reach the qualifying age, a change that has affected many households’ planning.
As the High Court date approaches for WASPI’s judicial review, the broader landscape for pensioners remains in flux. The government faces mounting pressure to address not just the grievances of 1950s-born women, but also the persistent issue of unclaimed benefits among the elderly. With cost of living pressures showing no sign of abating, the stakes could hardly be higher—for individuals, families, and the entire fabric of retirement support in the UK.
The coming months promise both legal drama and policy debate, as campaigners, politicians, and pensioners alike await the outcome of December’s court hearing. For many, it’s a fight not just for compensation, but for recognition, dignity, and the promise of a secure retirement after decades of work.
