Labour will consider introducing a flexible state pension age (SPA) if it wins the general election in June, according to reports.
A draft version of the party's manifesto was leaked to a number of newspapers yesterday.
One of the policies mentioned in the manifesto is a commitment to review SPA rises set out by the Conservative government, the Daily Mirror reported.
Currently the SPA for men and women is set to rise to 66 after December 2018. It will then rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028 and to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
Labour will not slow down the rise to 66, but will review plans to increase the SPA beyond this.
The party will instead consider introducing a different SPA depending on an individual's job. For example someone who worked in a job that involves manual labour would be allowed to retire earlier than someone who has worked in an office job due to the health risks associated with manual work.
This idea was originally suggested ahead of the publication of John Cridland's government-backed review into the future of the state pension. However, the plan was not included in the final report. Before the publication of the report Cridland described a flexible retirement age as 'horrendously complicated' to implement.
Alongside plans to review the SPA, Labour's manifesto said it would also commit to protecting the pension triple lock and pensioner benefits such a free bus passes and the winter fuel allowance.
The leaked manifesto also includes plans to support women affected by SPA rises. It said the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign would be helped by extra pension tax credit payments.
Labour previously said it would extend the means-tested pension credit to help Waspi.
Other pledges
Alongside the promises on pensions Labour's manifesto reportedly said it would increase taxes for those earning above £80,000, but would not increase taxes for the rest of the population.
This would help raise £6 billion for the NHS, scrap the cap on public sector pay rises and pave the way for an extra £8 billion on social care over the next parliament.
The draft manifesto, due to be formally launched next week after it is debated by the shadow cabinet and Labour's National Executive Committee, also reveals that a Labour government would not leave the European Union without a deal. It has also ruled out ‘making false promises on immigration numbers’.
It says it will protect EU funding across the UK, guarantee workers' rights and drop the Conservative Great Repeal Bill.
The manifesto also revealed plans to nationalise railways and energy.
It promises to build at least 100,000 council and housing association houses a year, as well as reserve 4,000 homes for rough sleepers.
While commitment to renewing Trident is stated, it also proposes a defence review.
