A woman from Sudbury has said that pivotal moments in her life were “snatched away” while she was working long hours well into her 60s. 

Since its inception in 2015, the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign (WASPI) has been a vocal critic of the government's decision to change the age at which women claim state pension.

Stephanie Atkinson, 67, was among those affected.

While the government initially tried to claim that its failure “did not lead to all the injustices claimed” (in a claim made in a now-redacted report), Ms Atkinson said that this does not take into account the toll of having to work into your 60s. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Stephanie Atkinson (centre) said that she felt disrespected by the government. Image: Karen SheldonStephanie Atkinson (centre) said that she felt disrespected by the government. Image: Karen Sheldon (Image: Karen Sheldon)

East Anglian Daily Times: WASPI women from Suffolk prepare to march in London, with Stephanie Atkinson pictured on the right. Image: Karen SheldonWASPI women from Suffolk prepare to march in London, with Stephanie Atkinson pictured on the right. Image: Karen Sheldon (Image: Karen Sheldon)

“I have always stood on my own two feet, but to be disrespected by the government, as we have been – how would they feel if this was their mother?” she said. 

Until her first child was born in 1983, Ms Atkinson worked for British Gas. After getting divorced in 1991, she worked a number of different jobs before accepting a role at Network Rail, aged 50. 

“It was a four hour journey each day, which is tiring as you get older,” Ms Atkinson explained. 

“My mother was getting older too, and needed more care. I would get phone calls at work telling me that she was in hospital, or she’d had a fall, and there I was in London.  

“My poor mother would say, why haven’t you retired? But I couldn’t claim my state pension yet.” 

Being out of the house for 12 hours each day, Ms Atkinson felt like she was being pulled in all directions – particularly when her granddaughter became severely unwell and spent time in hospital in Bristol.

“It meant that I wasn’t available to go and visit as much as I would have liked,” said Ms Atkinson. 

“There are things I have been left out of. I feel some of my time has been snatched away.”  

Were you affected by changes to the age of drawing state pensions? Get in touch with abygail.fossett@newsquest.co.uk