Date set for landmark WASPI legal challenge over State Pension compensation

The High Court has confirmed a December hearing for the WASPI campaign’s legal challenge over the government’s handling of state pension age changes.

The news – which is welcomed by NPC - comes as research by WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) reveals many of those impacted still remain worried about their finances.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that, following mounting pressure and a written question in the House of Commons, it will defend its decision not to set up a compensation scheme for those affected women—a decision now under live litigation.

The High Court has scheduled a two-day hearing on 9th and 10th December 2025, where WASPI campaigners will present their case before a senior judge. Government lawyers are set to lay out their defence, with a final ruling expected around spring 2026.

At stake is the government’s refusal to implement a compensation scheme for women who were adversely affected by the state pension age (SPA) changes. While a ruling in favour of WASPI could prompt a government review of the ombudsman’s recommendations, it cannot legally compel the DWP to pay direct compensation.

According to the WASPI campaign group, this stage marks a "crucial" milestone in an extended fight for justice.

The origins of the dispute date back to 1995, when the Government legislated to equalise the state pension age for women and men. While WASPI women have never been opposed to pension equality, their anger stems from the way the changes were communicated. The DWP was found to have committed maladministration in how it notified those affected, with many women receiving official notification only in 2012—sometimes mere months before their anticipated retirement. This lack of adequate notice left thousands unprepared, unable to make crucial financial or personal arrangements for their later years.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) previously determined that there had been maladministration, but the DWP rejected the Ombudsman's proposed remedy, meaning no financial compensation has been paid to date. In response, the WASPI campaign group described the Government’s position as “flawed” and moved to pursue legal action, urging ministers to reconsider.

Recent polling of more than 5,000 WASPI women reveals that nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) remain worried about their finances, with many feeling that their concerns have been ignored by the government. The effects of the maladministration have been profound: some women were forced into hardship, debt, and even lost their homes, while families have struggled as women shouldered caring responsibilities without the retirement support they had worked towards.

Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, says with the court date “on the horizon” affected women are “more determined than ever” to secure fair compensation. The campaign enjoys backing from hundreds of MPs across party lines, dozens of trade unions and influential organisations including NPC, and according to Angela Madden, “an overwhelming majority of the public.” She called on ministers to negotiate with WASPI women rather than risk defending an “indefensible” position in court.

ENDS

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