25 June 2026
If you are covering the DWP action plan titled 'State Pension age communications and complaints handling' please see the following comment from Adam Cole, retirement specialist at Quilter:
The DWP’s action plan is a clear acknowledgement that communication around the State Pension has not always landed as it should, and the renewed focus on clearer, more targeted engagement is welcome. The State Pension remains the foundation of many people’s retirement income, so improving awareness is an important starting point.
However, the challenge runs deeper than communication alone. Many people still only engage with their retirement planning later in life, when their options are more limited. Encouraging individuals to check their State Pension age and forecast is sensible, but awareness needs to translate into action.
There is also a strong case for embedding financial education earlier in life, so people understand pensions and long-term saving well before retirement comes into view. Starting sooner gives individuals far more scope to build a meaningful retirement pot through consistent contributions and compound growth.
From a financial planning perspective, small, early interventions such as increasing pension contributions or addressing gaps in National Insurance can make a significant difference over time. The real test of this action plan will be whether it drives that behavioural shift, prompting people not just to engage, but to take practical steps that improve their financial security in retirement.
