Transport union, RMT has warned the Labour government that any attempt to drastically raise the state pension age beyond 68 would be met with strong resistance, including coordinated protests and direct action from across the trade union movement.

Currently the state pension age is 66 for men and women. It is due to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2027, and to 68 in 2044.

But the decision by Work and Pensions secretary Liz Kendall to launch a review, has sparked fears in some quarters that the pension age could be dramatically increased to 74, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).

The union has called on Labour to reject tired arguments about affordability and instead embrace an alternative economic strategy based on fair taxation, public investment, and recognition that pensions are not a privilege but a right earned by workers.

RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Pensions are deferred wages, whether they come from the pay packet, from taxation, or from corporate profits that are only created through the labour of working people.

"The UK state pension is already one of the worst in the entire developed world which is a direct result of decades of governments transferring both our national and personal wealth to the super rich.

“Any decision to squeeze more out of working people by forcing us to work even longer would be a national disgrace.

“Our members work in physically demanding, round-the-clock, safety-critical jobs.

“Many already struggle to reach retirement in good health, especially shift workers.

“Raising the pension age even further isn’t just cruel and unnecessary, it’s a slap in the face to the very people who keep this country running.

“Our class has fought for generations to ensure people can retire in dignity and it is a right we will defend resolutely.

“If this government makes any move to drastically increase the retirement age, we intend to lead our movement onto the streets and will not hesitate to protest nationally and take coordinated direct action.”

RMT has outlined clear alternatives to fund pensions and maintain the triple lock, including a modest wealth tax on assets over £2 million, taxing capital gains and dividends, and scrapping the National Insurance cap on higher earners.

The union also proposes extending NI to unearned income, reinvesting profits from public transport and energy, and creating a sovereign wealth fund for long-term pension security.

These policies could provide tens of billions in additional revenue while upholding the social contract that workers should not be forced to work into old age.

Mr Dempsey added: “Labour must stand by those who put them in government and adopt a fairer funding model for pensions.

"There is plenty of wealth in the economy. The Labour government needs to capture it and distribute it where it is most needed including funding a decent state pension."