What did the Parliamentary Ombudsman (PHSO) find?

In March 2024, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) upheld WASPI women's complaints, finding that the DWP caused maladministration by failing to write to affected women between 1995 and 2009 to notify them of the pension age changes. The PHSO recommended compensation of £1,000–£2,950 per affected woman. On 29 January 2026 the Government responded, apologising for the maladministration but ruling out a compensation scheme, the £1,000–£2,950 recommendation was rejected, and no scheme exists as of September 2026.

How much WASPI compensation could I receive?

The PHSO recommended a flat-rate compensation of £1,000–£2,950 depending on the level of injustice suffered, but the Government rejected this recommendation in its January 2026 response and no payments are being made. Campaigners, including WASPI, continue to pursue legal and parliamentary routes to overturn that decision, any future compensation would depend on those challenges succeeding or a change of policy.

Do I need to do anything to claim WASPI compensation?

No. As of September 2026 there is no formal compensation scheme, and on 29 January 2026 the Government ruled one out, so there is nothing to register for or apply to, and no money is being distributed. Be wary of third parties charging for "claim" services. Monitor updates from WASPI, BackTo60, or the PHSO for any change following the campaigners' ongoing legal and parliamentary challenges.

What is the difference between WASPI and BackTo60?

WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaigns for fair and fast compensation for women who received inadequate notice of the state pension age increase. BackTo60 sought a full restoration of the state pension from age 60 for all affected women. BackTo60 lost a legal challenge in the Court of Appeal in 2020. WASPI focuses on the maladministration claim, not the lawfulness of the pension age increase itself.

Can I claim WASPI compensation if I was born in 1960?

The PHSO investigation covered women born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1960. Women born after 5 April 1960 are not covered by the WASPI/PHSO maladministration finding, as they are considered to have had sufficient notice of state pension age changes. Women born on or before 5 April 1960 are the primary affected group.

Updated 1 May 2026

WASPI Compensation Calculator · Free UK 2026

Check if you are affected by the 1950s state pension age changes and see the PHSO compensation bands for women born between 1950 and 1960.

✓ Free to use✓ PHSO compensation bands✓ Birth year eligibility check✓ Updated 2026

WASPI Compensation Calculator

Enter your birth year to check eligibility and see PHSO compensation bands

Your birth year

WASPI affected, PHSO recommended £1,000–£2,950

60 month delay

State pension age increased from 60 to 65, born 1955

Birth year

1955

Original state pension age

Age 60

New state pension age

Age 65

Delay in receiving pension

~60 months

PHSO compensation range

£1,000–£2,950

Scheme status (May 2026)

Not yet confirmed

Important: The PHSO recommended compensation of £1,000–£2,950 per woman, but as of May 2026 the UK Government has not established a formal payment scheme. No registration is currently required. Monitor WASPI.co.uk and the PHSO website for the latest updates.

This tool is for information only and is not legal or financial advice. The PHSO compensation recommendations are not yet implemented (May 2026). Check official sources for the latest status.

What is WASPI and Who is Affected?

Quick Answer: WASPI women are those born 6 April 1950 – 5 April 1960 whose state pension age was raised from 60 to 65 or 66 by the Pensions Act 1995 and 2011. The Parliamentary Ombudsman found in 2024 that the DWP failed to give adequate notice of these changes and recommended compensation of £1,000–£2,950 per woman. As of 2026, no formal scheme is in place.

The State Pension Age Timeline

Before the Pensions Act 1995, women's state pension age was 60 and men's was 65. The 1995 Act increased women's state pension age to 65, phased in from 2010 to 2020. The Pensions Act 2011 accelerated this timetable, meaning many women born in the 1950s had their pension age increased to 65 or 66 with insufficient notice, sometimes only a few years before they expected to retire.

PHSO Compensation Bands (2024 Recommendation)

Injustice level	PHSO recommended compensation
Level 1 (lowest)	£1,000
Level 2	£1,500
Level 3	£2,000
Level 4	£2,500
Level 5 (highest)	£2,950

These are PHSO recommendations only. As of May 2026 no formal payment scheme has been established. Monitor WASPI and PHSO websites for updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

WASPI stands for Women Against State Pension Inequality. WASPI women are those born in the 1950s (broadly 6 April 1950 to 5 April 1960) whose state pension age was increased by the Pensions Act 1995 and further accelerated by the Pensions Act 2011. Many say they received inadequate notice of the changes, meaning they could not plan financially for the delay. The campaign has focused on compensation for maladministration by the DWP.