News and media

An earlier and reduced state pension could see pensioners “financially suffer for the rest of their lives”, a charity has warned. Leading private pension firm Aegon said that workers should be able to take their state pension up to three years early if they agree to lower payments. In this article on the prospect of a reduced pension. The Big Issue used an quote from Joanna Elson CBE and polling we published which showed that 64% of people over 50 who are not yet fully retired are worried about their financial situation if and when they fully retire. Read the full article here.

Chief Executive Joanna Elson CBE had an opinion piece published in Inside Housing. The article discusses the UK rental system and how it compares to other countries, with reference to our latest report Paving the way international renting report | Independent Age. Joanna calls on the government to pass the Renters (Reform) Bill to redress the imbalance between tenants and landlords and help older tenants who are struggling right now. Read the full article here.

Colin Smyth MSP's opinion piece renews Independent Age's call for an Older People's Commissioner (OPC). Colin introduced a Private Member's Bill to the Scottish Parliament calling for this and the opinion piece features our polling from our recent support on how an OPC could help older people in Scotland who are in financial hardship. The article was published in print and online.

Independent Age gave the exclusive story of our new report - Paving the way international renting report | Independent Age - to The Times. The article explores the findings of the report, comparing the UK rental market to countries including Fance, USA, Germany and Ireland. Furthermore is includes discussion of the Renters’ Reform Bill, along with statements from Joanna Elson CBE and case study Susan Curtis, who is facing eviction from her rental home of 12 years. Read the full article here.

The Big Issue's cost-of-living reporter wrote an article on Pension Credit featuring media volunteer Yvonne and a quote from our Chief Executive Joanna Elson CBE. The advice article links to our website and other organisations that can help older people in financial hardship. Read the full article here.

Mail Online covered our recent research which showed 41 per cent of people aged 50 or over and not fully retired were concerned about economic hardship in their retirement. The overall article concerns an Age UK report on mental health showing issues with sleep amongst older people.

Independent Age's response to budget featured in the Express and Independent live blog, the latter was syndicated in several regional papers. The Express also quoted our statement in their headline in subsequent coverage of the Budget. The Telegraph also used the quote in their coverage.

Independent Age got widespread national coverage following a press release  - Widespread money worries for those approaching retirement, new research finds | Independent Age – that cited results from recent polling data showing that 41% of people aged 50 and over who are not yet fully retired are concerned about living in economic hardship after they stop working. The Mirror and iNews story include multiple statistics from Independent Age's  polling, a statement from Chief Executive Joana Elson CBE and our policy calls.