The increasing costs of the state pension may force the Government to make big changes to its other pension policies.
With the triple lock delivering a large 8.5 percent increase to payments after a record 10.1 percent boost last year, the cost of the state pension continues to mount.
Ministers have the option to alter the policy itself to make it less generous, such as by changing the triple lock or increasing the state pension age.
But Labour has pledged to maintain the triple lock during its current term in office, and if policy planners want to protect the state pension, other changes may be needed.
Mark Pemberthy, benefits consulting leader at Gallagher, said: “We need to face up to the financial reality of the affordability of the state pension, but at the same time, if we fail to adequately support pensioners in retirement we could risk adding pressure to already overstretched health and social services.
“Solutions like boosting workplace pension savings through auto-enrolment or making tough fiscal decisions may be necessary.
“Whatever path is taken, it is vital that any changes are both fair and sustainable for current and future generations.”
Under the current auto enrolment rules, at least eight percent of a worker’s salary has to go into a workplace pension.
This is often arranged as five percent contribution from the employee which is matched by a three percent contribution from the employer.
Mr Pemberthy further warned that the issue of the state pension is bigger than the timescale of this current Government.
He said: “This problem cannot be solved by simply looking at the typical five-year political horizon.
“We encourage the government to undertake a comprehensive independent review of retirement planning to establish clear principles for a fair and sustainable long-term plan for both state and private pensions, enabling everyone to plan for their future with confidence.”
Looking at ways to make the state pension more flexible, wealth firm Aegon has previously suggested allowing early access to the state pension from three years before state pension age, at a lower rate of payment.
Steven Cameron, pension director with the group, said he hopes the Government will consider “flexible pension options” as it carries out its pensions review over the coming months.
He said: “We hope that the ongoing pension investment review will take into account any potential changes to the state pension age alongside any changes to private pensions, as our recent Second 50 research shows 96 percent of workers expect to rely on state pension support in retirement.”
The idea of raising the state pension age to 70 and beyond has recently been raised, prompting a mix of reactions from experts.
Mr Cameron said: “While we don’t expect the Government to implement further changes to the state pension age for a couple of decades, another review is anticipated soon, focusing on increasing the age to 67 and 68.
“We’d be surprised if the state pension age increased by more than a year at a time, and we strongly support giving people at least 10 years’ notice to plan accordingly.
“The higher the state pension age, the greater the need for options to take it earlier at a reduced level to ensure financial fairness.
“Increasing the state pension age to 70 might save the Government money, but it risks sidelining those unable to work into their late 60s.”
