Communities Minister urges early access to state pension in terminal diagnosis cases
Date published:
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has called for 'decisive action' from the UK government on allowing early access to the state pension for those diagnosed with a terminal illness.
In a letter to Department for Work and Pensions Minister Torsten Bell MP, Minister Lyons said the move would "ensure financial security and dignity for people in their final months".
The measure - proposed by the end-of-life charity Marie Curie - would allow terminally ill individuals to claim their state pension based on National Insurance contributions, topped up to at least Pension Credit level.
Figures from the charity's Dying In Poverty campaign show that around 111,000 people die in poverty each year in the UK, with more than one-in-four working-age individuals facing financial hardship in their final year.
Minister Lyons said:
"It is imperative that we do more to ensure financial security and dignity for people in their final months of life and I am urging Minister Bell to take decisive action on this issue.
"A terminal diagnosis should not be accompanied by the added burden of financial hardship but, unfortunately, this is the stark - and unacceptable - reality for too many.
"Marie Curie's compassionate and practical solution would allow terminally ill individuals to access the state pension early, providing much-needed financial stability and some peace of mind during the most difficult of times."
Although pensions are a devolved matter, in general, Northern Ireland's pensions policy and legislation operate in line with corresponding pension provision in Great Britain.
On 31 March 2025, the Northern Ireland Assembly unanimously backed a Private Members' Motion urging the UK to implement legislative changes that would enable those with a terminal diagnosis to access their state pension early.
Minister Lyons has committed to engaging with the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of those diagnosed with a terminal illness and to advocating for greater support.
Minister Lyons continued:
"I am urging the UK government to act swiftly and compassionately to deliver meaningful change on early access to state pensions.
"No-one should be facing their final months with the added burden of financial distress and I will continue to press for a fair and compassionate system that meets the needs of those who are most vulnerable."
