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Heidi Karjalainen

@heidikarj.bsky.social
148 followers 106 following 20 posts

Economist at the IFS

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Heidi Karjalainen @heidikarj.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The Second Pensions Commission's interim report seems to worry about people accessing private pensions well before state pension age. Of course there are good reasons for caution. But as shown here, early 60s are also a period of particularly low incomes and high poverty.
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Heidi Karjalainen @heidikarj.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Pleased to see our @theifs.bsky.social work being highlighted by the Pensions Commissioners in @theguardian.com coverage today. The research was commissioned by DWP to inform the Pensions Commission, and looks at how working lives shape pension saving and outcomes. theguardian.com/money/2026/m...
theguardian.com
Government-backed Pensions Commission calls for action on gender savings gap
Body says, on average, British women approaching retirement have half private pension savings of men – £81,000 versus £156,000
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Heidi Karjalainen @heidikarj.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
I wrote a piece for Pensions Expert on the rise in state pension age to 67 starting in April. It's worth paying attention to how this lands – for households but also in public debate. That could shape when/how increases to 68 and beyond get legislated. www.pensions-expert.com/law-and-regu...
pensions-expert.com
State pension age of 67 is coming – what to watch as it rolls out
Heidi Karjalainen, a senior research economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, explores the imminent state pension age increase as the latest review continues.
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Heidi Karjalainen @heidikarj.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
I had a great time chatting about older people with @timharford.ft.com on BBC4 More or Less. The starting question was – are one in four pensioners really millionaires? Quick thread below: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
More or Less - The Stats of the Nation - Older People, Education, Prisons and the Weather - BBC Sounds
Tim Harford explores the stats on pensioners, exams, justice and climate change.
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Heidi Karjalainen @heidikarj.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Today’s inflation figure of 3.8% will be used for most benefit uprating next April. But state pension will rise in line with triple lock – based on earnings growth of 4.8%. Below is my @theifs.bsky.social piece on issues around the triple lock and what we think is a better alternative.
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Heidi Karjalainen @heidikarj.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
The OBR's Fiscal Risks and Sustainability report is out today with a chapter on the UK's pension system. This is important and timely, setting out key challenges for the future. For proposals on how to address them you should check out our Pensions Review report from last week, thread below 👇
obr.uk
Fiscal risks and sustainability – July 2025 - Office for Budget Responsibility
The latest update of our assessment of the current pressures on the public finances was published in our Fiscal risks and sustainability report. Read the Executive summary for the key points from our ...
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Heidi Karjalainen @heidikarj.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Had a good chat on @moneybox.bsky.social with @paullewismoney.bsky.social about our Pensions Review work and what we should do about the triple lock and automatic enrolment – you can listen to it here: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
Money Box - Future of Pensions and Heat Networks - BBC Sounds
A wide-reaching report makes recommendations about the future of pensions.
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Reposted by Heidi Karjalainen
David Sturrock @david-sturrock.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
NEW:The government continues to increase the state pension age. Next year it’ll start going up from 66 to 67. Some people choose to - or need to - work longer as a result. Does it run down their health? Or can work keep you young? We investigated for women whose pension age rose in the 2010s… 1/
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Reposted by Heidi Karjalainen
Laurence O'Brien @laurenceobrien.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Today the government announced more detail on how they plan to tackle the large number of small pots in the UK pension system. The reforms are due to be announced in the upcoming Pension Schemes bill this spring. A few thoughts on why this matters and what was announced. 👇
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Heidi Karjalainen @heidikarj.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
State pension age starts rising again in April 2026. Most people in their early 60s know their state pension age, but a significant minority are incorrect or unaware. This is worrying as people may base retirement and saving decisions on incorrect information. Short thread👇
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Reposted by Heidi Karjalainen
Bee Boileau @beeboileau.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
We’ve written two new reports on the decisions people face when drawing on private pension wealth in retirement & policy reforms that might help improve these decisions. Important to get this right as defined contribution pensions get more important & can now be accessed flexibly. Thread below:
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