A senior economist has suggested that the state pension age could eventually rise to 75, sparking renewed debate over the future of retirement in the UK.

The comments come as some call for the state pension age to rise in order to combat the Government's welfare costs.

Tom McPhail wrote in The Times: "There's a good argument that it should be about age 75; we'll come back to that in a moment." He added: "With people living longer and healthier lives, it makes sense to think carefully about when state support should begin. Otherwise, the system may simply become unsustainable."

Currently, the state pension age stands at 66, with plans under existing legislation for it to rise to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046.

The Government has announced a formal review into the state pension age, prompted by concerns over the long-term sustainability of the system as life expectancy increases.

The number of people reaching state pension age is expected to rise dramatically, from 12.6 million in 2025 to 19.5 million by 2075, an increase of 55 percent.

At the same time, spending on the state pension as a share of GDP is projected to grow by more than 50 percent, from 5 percent today to around 7.7 percent in the early 2070s. In today's terms, that equates to roughly £75 billion extra per year.

These figures have prompted concern among policymakers, economists, and campaigners, with many warning that without reform, the state pension could place an ever-increasing strain on public finances.

Some argue that delaying eligibility could help balance the system and encourage longer working lives, while others say it risks leaving older workers struggling to make ends meet.

McPhail said the debate should also consider broader social and economic factors. "It's not just about numbers," he said. "We need to look at the quality of work older people can access, their health, and the support they need as they approach retirement."

The government review is expected to consider a range of options, including accelerating the planned increases, linking pension age more closely to life expectancy, or introducing more flexible arrangements for retirement.

Any changes could have wide-reaching effects on millions of people planning their futures.