A review commissioned by the Government is looking into the merits of linking future increases to the retirement age to how long people are expected to live. The Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has commissioned Suzy Morrissey, deputy director of the Pensions Policy Institute, to put together an independent report ahead of the third review of State Pension age.

A call for evidence from Ms Morrissey published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says the report will explore key factors government should consider when deciding upon the age threshold in the years ahead. These include the merits of linking State Pension age to life expectancy, and how other countries have faired with “Automatic Adjustment Mechanisms” (AAMs) for making decisions about the retirement age.

Among them are countries like Denmark, which is set to gradually increase its retirement age to 70 by 2040 based on life expectancy, raising the possibility of the UK considering increases to similar levels in the years ahead.

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AAMs are “predefined rules that automatically change set parameters, based on demographic, economic or financial indicators”, the department explains. They have been used to link State Pension age to life expectancy in various ways in various countries.

Ms Morrissey’s Call for Evidence, which is open until October 24 this year “seeks views and evidence on these areas”.

Recommendations from her report are expected to be a number of years away, The Telegraph reports.

The State Pension age in the UK is set to be increased from 66 to 67 years, in line with existing rules, with the change expected to apply to all men and women nationwide by 2028.

The retirement age change has been part of the law since 2014, with another increase—from 67 to 68— currently planned between 2044 and 2046, but experts have suggested this could be brought forward by the Government.

Some have warned that people retiring in 2050 could get £800 less per year than pensioners of today, and the Government has voiced concern cost-of-living squeezes, and lack of savings among older people.

Ministers are required to review the state pension age every six years, but the latest review was pushed forward, despite the last one only concluding in 2023.

A DWP spokesperson previously said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners, and thanks to our commitment to the Triple Lock, millions will see their yearly State Pension rise by £1,900 this parliament, and following the biggest-ever campaign to boost Pension Credit take-up, nearly 60,000 extra pensioners are now receiving financial support worth up to £4,300 a year.

“But unless we act, there is a real risk that tomorrow’s pensioners will be poorer than today’s.

“This is why we are reviving the Pension Commission, to tackle the barriers that that stop too many people from saving.”