Heather Humphreys refuses to say if she will delay increasing pension age to 67

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys says as the report from the Pensions Commission needs to be carefully considered by the Government. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Minister for Social Protection has refused to be drawn on whether she will delay increasing the pension age to 67 incrementally, as recommended by an independent commission.

Chair of the Pensions Commission Josephine Feehily and the members submitted their final report to Minister Humphreys last week, recommending the State pension age rise in quarterly increments to 67 between 2028 and 2031, before gradually increasing to 68 by 2039.