Compass proposes pension-for-OBE scheme to Prime Minister Andy Burnham

The think tank Compass has proposed a “pensions sacrifice” scheme to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, suggesting that wealthy retirees could voluntarily forgo their state pensions for at least three years in exchange for an Order of the British Empire (OBE).

The proposal is part of a 100-policy blueprint for the Prime Minister’s first 100 days in office. It aims to address the UK’s deepening pension crisis, which the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts will see costs rise by 2.7 per cent of GDP between 2028/29 and 2073/74 due to demographic shifts and the triple-lock mechanism.

The suggestion has met with significant public backlash. Critics have characterized the plan as an inappropriate commodification of civic honors, with some drawing comparisons to past “cash-for-honours” scandals. Opponents argue that the state pension is an earned entitlement based on National Insurance contributions rather than a discretionary handout.