PENSIONERS in Barrow could have just six years to enjoy their retirement if plans put forward by a think tank to increase the pension age to 75 are agreed, politicians warn.

A proposal to increase the state pension age has been raised by think tank the Centre for Social Justice.

It has been criticised by Chris Altree, the Labour parliamentary candidate for Barrow, who called the idea ‘stupid’ and ‘unfair’.

The CSJ, an independent think tank fronted by former Tory leader Iain Duncan-Smith, proposed accelerating plans to increase the state pension age to boost the UK economy.

Mr Altree said: “This shows how damaging Tory ideas are for ordinary working people. Leaving aside the cruelty, unfairness and downright stupidity, it’s clear whoever thought it up has never worked in a physical working environment.

“Furness has a proud tradition of hard work and all of us pay in for a decent pension, not to be flogged till we die."

Amber Rudd, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has said the Government is not considering implementing the proposals.

Mr Altree’s opposite number, Conservative Simon Fell, said: “At a time when trust in politics is at a low, it’s staggering that the Labour candidate has recklessly chosen to recycle a story long after it has been proven to be false.

“To be clear: these are not government proposals and the DWP has stated that this is not government policy.

“This government has a good record on pensions. It introduced a triple lock on in 2011 to ensure that the state pension rises by whatever was highest: earnings, inflation, or 2.5%. And that has worked – increasing the State Pension significantly and reducing pensioner poverty to historically low levels.”