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Original poster

Why was the state pension age lower for women?

129 replies

pinksocks3 · 20/10/2023 11:50

I can't find a simple answer to this question. Why was the pension age 60 for women and 65 for men until recently?

Was it because women were seen as weaker and unable to work after 60?

OP posts:
Lucywithout · 20/10/2023 11:58

Men tended to marry younger women and this enabled both to retire at same time. Planning was for "standard couple". I got mine at 60 and DH at 65. Times are different now and many not married etc. Women also could pay lower "stamp" and rely on husband's contribution. If they also worked and opted to pay full rate they got pension at 60.

purplepencilcase · 20/10/2023 11:55

Missingthesea · 20/10/2023 11:54

Apparently it was because women were typically a few years younger than their husbands, so a younger retirement age for women meant they could retire at around the same time as their husbands and were therefore likely to be available to "look after" them 😬🙄

What???!!!!

Missingthesea · 20/10/2023 11:54

Apparently it was because women were typically a few years younger than their husbands, so a younger retirement age for women meant they could retire at around the same time as their husbands and were therefore likely to be available to "look after" them 😬🙄

Coffeerum · 20/10/2023 11:51

Equality, but not that equality.

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