30,000 over-65s face dole queue for two years

Up to 30,000 people who are set to turn 65 over the next 12 months could be forced to claim unemployment benefit for two years as a result of changes being applied to the age at which someone qualifies for the statutory pension, it has been claimed.

At present, the qualifying age for the public pension is 66, having changed from 65 in 2014. That will change, via further seven-yearly updates, to 67 in 2021, and 68 in 2028.