A pensions expert has warned that a proposal to increase the state pension age could mean one group would only get three years worth of payments. The state pension age is set to go up again next year, increasing gradually from the current 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

Plans are also in place for the age to go up to 68, between 2044 and 2046. An independent review has been launched looking at where the access age should be set.

Some experts have even suggested the Government may have to increase it to as high as 70. Mark Pemberthy, benefits consulting leader at insurance broker Gallagher, warned there are major issues with making people wait until their 70s to claim their state pension.

He said: "Increasing the state pension age to 70 may make sense for an analyst for an independent think tank in the South-East, but if you are in a manual occupation in Blackpool, where the average male life expectancy sits at 73 years - the lowest in the UK - a change to 70 wouldn't be fair at all."

The full new state pension is currently £230.25 a week, or £11,973 a year. One of the topics to be looked at in the upcoming state pension age review is the idea of linking state pension age to life expectancy, and the experience of other countries which have automatic adjustments to their access age based on other factors.

Mr Pemberthy said there is some precedent for an access age of 70, looking more widely across Europe. Mr Pemberty said: "In Denmark, the state pension age is set to increase to 70 by 2040. It is one of nine OECD countries to automatically link state pension ege to life expectancy.

"However, Denmark and the United Kingdom are two very different economies, with two very different measures of quality of life. Any recommendations to increase the state pension age must consider the UK's specific economic context, as well as significant differences in life expectancy across the United Kingdom."

Other themes that the state pension age review will consider is the role of the state pension age in managing the long-term sustainability of the state pension. A separate review by the Government Actuaries Department will look at what proportion of adult life Britons should spend in retirement.

Mr Pemberthy warned that the Government needs to be careful with bringing in any major changes. He said: "Life expectancy varies across regions and professions, and any sweeping changes to the retirement age may risk deepening inequalities in the state pension system.

"In short, this is a really sensitive and complex issue and the review will get input from a wide range of organisations and experts in these areas before recommending a framework that should balance all of these factors.

"And if it becomes the norm for workers to stay in the job market until their seventies, the Government will need to make sure there are also policies which facilitate this for employers and employees, such as flexible working and wellbeing support."

He said that should the age go up to 70, some key measures need to be in place to help people stay in work longer. These include flexible working options, retraining programmes and paid carers leave. He also called for more health and wellbeing support to help workers stay in work longer.