The increase of the state pension age to 68 should be brought forward to 2039, seven years earlier than planned, the independent state pension age review has recommended.

The review, led by Sir John Cridland, published 23 March, said in order to reflect increasing life expectancy the state pension age should rise to 68 over a two year period from 2037 to 2039. Currently it is not planned to rise to 68 until between 2044 and 2046.

It recommended making no more than one increase to the state pension age each decade, to “create a window of stability” and therefore another increase should not take place until 2047.

An accompanying report published by the Government Actuary’s Department recommends that the state pension age be increased to 70 between 2054 and 2056, under an assumption that people should spend 32 per cent of their adult life in retirement.

On the increases to the state pension age, the Cridland review said they would “provide a greater measure of intergenerational fairness” and also “make a contribution to the fiscal sustainability of the state pension”.

It also called for the triple lock to be scrapped in the next parliament, due in 2020.

However, the review was clear that with any increases the government has a responsibility to communicate directly with those affected. It also said the government must seek to use its partnerships with stakeholders to reach a wide range of people. Furthermore, to support the gradual transition to retirement, the review recommended a mid-life MoT to provide workers with holistic advice to prepare for the transition.

In terms of support for people who continue working past the state pension age, the review suggests that people who defer their state pension should have the option to be rewarded through a lump sum once they start drawing their pension.

In addition, it recommended that people over state pension age should be able to part drawdown their state pension, leaving the balance to benefit from the deferral arrangements. It said this should be introduced as soon as possible, but at least 10 years before the increase of the state pension age to 68.

Touching on occupational pensions, the review said it hoped the 2017 review of auto-enrolment would prioritise improving pension coverage for women. One option, based on the Swiss model, could be to allow couples to combine their private pension savings in one joint pot, to help mitigate disadvantage caused by one partner taking time out of work to bring up children.

It also hoped that the review into auto-enrolment will look into how the growing group of self-employed people can be helped to save for their retirement and that tackling this issue should be a priority.

The government will now review the information presented in the reports and is due to announce changes in May 2017.

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