Graceful Resilience: 70-Year-Old Ballet Teacher Dances Through Pension Delays
A woman with arthritic knees has shared her story of continuing to work as a ballet teacher at the age of 70 to supplement her state pension, which was unexpectedly postponed by six years without sufficient notice.
Susie Clarke is among the estimated 3.8 million women affected by significant changes to the state pension age, known as the Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality) group. These women argue that those born between 1950 and 1960 were not adequately informed about the increase in their pension age and are seeking compensation for the impact on their lives.
Ombudsman Ruling and Compensation
In March, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) determined that women impacted by these changes are entitled to compensation from the Government, as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) failed to properly notify them that the state pension age would rise from 60 to 66. The Ombudsman suggested compensation payments ranging from £1,000 to £2,950, but the Government has yet to provide details on whether compensation will be issued or a timeline for it.
Ms Clarke, married to Alan, 84, continues to work part-time as a ballet teacher, while her husband remains active as a musician, playing the piano to maintain their standard of living after she used her savings to bridge the pension gap.
I calculated that I lost around £38,000 due to the absence of my pension, which was promised to me at 16 when I was told I would retire at 60, Ms Clarke stated. This is a grave injustice, and I will never stop fighting it.
A Lifetime of Work and Unexpected Changes
Ms Clarke began her career at 16 as a typist with the BBC but aspired to become a ballet teacher. She worked in offices until 35, then pursued a teacher training course with the Royal Academy of Dance, eventually opening her own dance school. She first learned about the change in her pension age at 41 by overhearing a conversation in a supermarket, which came as a complete shock.
Despite suffering from arthritic knees and plantar fasciitis at 57, Ms Clarke continued teaching ballet. She transitioned to semi-retirement, focusing on teaching teenagers and adults, but financial struggles persisted as studio costs rose and her savings dwindled.
When she was six months away from her revised pension age, Ms Clarke was diagnosed with grade three breast cancer. She underwent surgery and radiotherapy but continued working, determined to reach her retirement age.
Continuing to Work at 70
Now receiving her long-awaited pension, Ms Clarke still works two days a week as a ballet teacher at 70. I am still working to boost my state pension, even though my knees are not what they used to be, she said. I enjoy what I do, but I also need the money to maintain my independence.
The Waspi scandal has left many women without justice or compensation, and Ms Clarke urges young people to understand where their national insurance payments are going. Angela Madden, chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality, calls for urgent compensation for those affected, highlighting the ongoing support from MPs across the political spectrum.
A Government spokesperson acknowledged the seriousness of the report and stated, We will continue to listen respectfully to the women involved and ensure we take on board any lessons learnt.
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