Women affected by state pension changes have been urged to write to the government ahead of a High Court date in June.

The changes, which have seen over 3,000 women in Montgomeryshire born in the 1950s lose out on their retirement, were discussed at an event in Newtown, hosted by Plaid Cymru AM Helen Mary Jones last weekend.

A healthy crowd attended the event, held at the Monty Club, to discuss pension age changes which have resulted in thousands of women having their retirement age pushed back, as the pension age increased from 60 to 65 on an accelerated timetable.

The number of women affected by the changes brought in include 3,900 women in the Brecon and Radnorshire constituency and 3,300 in Montgomeryshire.

Speaking at a meeting in Newtown on Saturday, May 11, Helen Mary Jones, Plaid Cymru AM for Mid and West Wales, described the situation as a “fiasco”.

“Despite paying full National Insurance contributions all their working lives, these women have been told at the last minute that the pensions they had expected at age 60 would be delayed by up to six years,” she said.

“Women who have planned and saved for their retirement are living on dwindling limited savings until they reach their new state pension age when the only income they will have left will be their state pension.

“The consequences of this poor implementation and communication are likely to be poverty, loss of independence and financial security, and ill health.”

The dispute will head to the High Court in June when a judicial review into the Government’s alleged mishandling of the issue gets underway, and Ms Jones is urging anyone affected to add their voice to the campaign ahead of June 9.

“I urge women who think they may be affected by this pension rip-off to contact the campaign group and the Department of Work and Pensions. It is vital they do this before June so it can be used in the forthcoming court case.” she added.

Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI) has provided resources for campaigners online at: www.waspicampaign2018.co.uk/action

is calling for fair transitional state pension arrangements, such as a ‘bridging pension’ paid from age 60 to the state pension age. They also advocate compensation for losses for those women who have already reached their state pension age.

“I urge women who think they may be affected by this pension rip-off to contact the campaign group and the Department of Work and Pensions. It is vital they do this before June so it can be used in the forthcoming court case.” she added.

The Government argues that the changes in the 2011 Act were debated at length and concessions were made by Parliament.

“I’m pleased with the turnout for both meetings. I’d like to thank all those who attended particularly Councillors Grenville Ham and Elwyn Vaughan for their help in organising.

It says it will “make no further changes to the pension age or pay financial redress in lieu of a pension.”

Speaking during a house of commons debate in 2016, Under-Secretary of State for Pensions Richard Harrington said it would cost “more than £30 billion” to reverse the changes.

“Governments have to make difficult decisions, and the allocation of public spending is one of the most difficult,” he said.

“It is not fair to say that the acceleration of the women’s state pension age has not been fully considered. It went through Parliament, there was a public call for evidence and there was extensive debate in both Houses. The Government listened during the process and made a substantial concession worth more than £1 billion. “

The information event gets underway at 3pm at the Monty Club, Newtown on Saturday, May 11.