Sir, – As part of the plan to increase the retirement age to 66 in 2014, the transition pension will be discontinued from December 31st, 2013. This will mean that those who are 65 in 2014 (ie those born in 1949) will be left without any State pension for 2014.
I have worked for 40 enjoyable years and made all the required contributions. I was expecting to be eligible for a State pension (transition pension for 2014 and State pension from 2015 onwards) when I retire at aged 65 in January 2014. I requested that my employers allow me to work on until I am 66, but they have confirmed that I must retire at 65 in line with their standard procedures.
So in 2014, I will have to retire, I will have no State pension, and I have had insufficient time to make an alternative plan.
What am I to do? – Yours, etc,