Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what minimum written notice was given to women affected by state pension age increases under the Pensions Act 1995 and Pensions Act 2011.

Between April 2009 and March 2011, the Department mailed all women born between 6^th April 1950 and 5^th April 1953, informing them of their State Pension age under the 1995 Pensions Act. This involved sending 1.16 million letters to the affected females.

Following the 2011 changes, DWP wrote to all individuals directly affected to inform them of the change to their State Pension age. This applied to women born between 6^th April 1953 and 5^th April 1960. These letters were sent between January 2012 and November 2013. This involved sending 5.77 million letters to the affected males and females.

In addition to writing directly to those affected, the Government provided a range of information in order for all individuals to be able to find out their State Pension age and conditions of their benefits. For example, following the Pensions Act 1995, State Pension estimates, issued to individuals on request, made the changes clear. DWP also ran a pensions education campaign in 2004, which included informing people of the future equalisation of State Pension.