article_snippet.sent: Raising the retirement age is unfair on Scottish pensioners because Scottish pensioners die younger, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon declared yesterday.
article_snippet.sent: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the rising retirement age was particularly unfair for pensioners in Scotland because pensioners in Scotland don’t live as long as pensioners in Scotland counterparts in the rest of the country.
article_snippet.sent: Raising the retirement age is unfair on Scottish pensioners because Scottish pensioners die younger, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon declared yesterday.
article_snippet.sent: Speaking on a visit to a care home in East Dunbartonshire, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘The Tory/Lib Dem government’s plan to further increase the state pension age is a worry to people across the UK who are planning for their future, but the failure to take Scotland’s specific circumstances into account is particularly unfair.
article_snippet.sent: ‘Our comparatively low life expectancy rate is an issue which I will do everything in my power to change but in the meantime it would be completely unacceptable for people in Scotland who have paid in to a state pension all of people in Scotland who have paid in to a state pension all of their lives to lose out lives to lose out.
article_snippet.sent: That is why the SNP will reject any plans for a further increase in the state pension age.
article_snippet.sent: ‘Our pensioners have contributed hugely to society and are entitled to get a fair deal in Our pensioners retirement in return.
article_snippet.sent: She said the SNP would ensure that ‘the contribution older people have made throughout older people lives is recognised’ if older people hold the balance of power after the election.
article_snippet.sent: A Conservative Party spokesman said: ‘Capping the state pension age in Scotland will cost hardworking taxpayers across Britain more than £12.5 billion.
article_snippet.sent: a minority Labour government will then review the state pension age every five years.
article_snippet.sent: During last year’s referendum campaign, the SNP argued the level should only increase to 66 in Scotland, because a lower life expectancy means pensioners receive between £10,000 and £11,000 less.