State pension age changes: The huge disadvantages WASPI women faced – are you affected?

This is a generation of women who were actively discriminated against in the workplace if they were perceived to be “at risk” of having a baby in the near future, WASPI says, adding that many women of this generation were denied jobs on this basis.

Expanding on this, the campaigners say they’ve heard many many examples of women being asked very personal questions in job interviews.

In the workplace, career progression could differ. One woman has recalled how men doing the same role as her were offered management training, but the opportunity wasn’t ever offered to women.

Traditionally, women have assumed caring responsibilities for elderly parents or dependents too, which affects their ability to have a full working life or private pension contributions.

Shockingly, the gender pay gap and the gender pension gap still exist in the modern day, and research by Chip has found that over a lifetime, men have £5,365 more disposable income to save than women.

Despite a record number of women being in employment (72.4 percent) – the highest since records began – the average annual private pension income for men aged 65 and over is £8,620 while for women it’s £3,920, research by PPI revealed by NOW: Pensions has shown.

This represents a gap of £4,700 or a 55 percent decrease.

Women typically taking on caring responsibilities is something which has been identified as a significant factor in the gender pension gap today.