A petition demanding the state pension be made available from age 60 while increasing payments to £586.08 a week has attracted over 14,900 signatures to date.
The total surpasses the 10,000 threshold that requires a Government response.
The campaign proposes linking pension payments to 48 hours at National Living Wage rates, which would give recipients around £30,476.16 annually.
Having passed the first milestone, the petition now awaits an official response from the Government in the coming days.
Protesters believe that the Government don't want the state pension paid to all
|PA
If support reaches 100,000 signatures before the December 24, 2025 deadline, Parliament will consider the proposal for debate.
The petition advocates for universal pension access, including for British expatriates.
This represents a major departure from current policy, which sets the state pension age at 67 for most recipients.
Denver Johnson, who created the petition, said: "Government policy seems intent on the State Pension being a benefit not paid to all, while ever increasing the age of entitlement."
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Their proposal calls for reform to ensure pensions are available to everyone from age 60, including those living abroad.
Payments would be tied to the National Living Wage "for security," the petition creator said.
The concerned pensioner argues that the Government has moved away from treating the state pension as a universal entitlement.
They call raising the qualifying age while tightening access restricts support for future retirees.
The state pension is the second-largest item in the Government’s budget after health | GETTYAccording to the petition text, from April 2025 a "universal state pension" should become a fundamental right for all British citizens aged 60 and above.
It proposes calculating payments based on a full working week at minimum wage levels, specifically 48 hours at the National Living Wage. That calculation would generate £586.08 weekly from April 2025, when the next wage adjustment takes effect.
The annual sum of £30,476.16 would mark a substantial rise compared with current state pension payments. By linking pension amounts directly to the Living Wage, the proposal would ensure payments rise automatically in line with inflation and earnings.
Supporters say the mechanism would protect pensioners' purchasing power without requiring separate reviews or discretionary increases.
The petition’s framework would apply these enhanced rates universally to all qualifying individuals aged 60 and over. Analysts note this would mean a significant expansion of both eligibility and payment levels compared with existing arrangements.
Financial specialists caution, however, that retiring before the current state pension age is already challenging for many households.
Scott Gallacher, Director at Leicester-based Rowley Turton, said: "Early retirement isn't dead, but for the squeezed middle it's now more fantasy than plan."
He cited persistent tax rises through fiscal drag, rising property costs, and the end of ultra-low mortgage rates as obstacles. Mr Gallacher also noted that longer life expectancy means inheritances are received later, while adult children require more financial support with student loans and housing costs.
He suggested early retirement is still possible with disciplined saving in pensions and ISAs.
Otherwise, he warned, "the only way to retire early now is for both partners to work full-time perhaps until their late 60s."
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Longer life expectancy means inheritances are received later
| GETTYGraham Wells, Founder at GroWiser Financial Coaching, said retirement itself is changing, with many clients questioning the traditional model.
He pointed to growing interest in financial independence and lifestyle businesses among people in their forties and fifties.
Daniel Wiltshire, of Wiltshire Wealth in Bradford-on-Avon, highlighted a divide between generations. He said those over 50 often benefit from reduced mortgages, final salary pensions and State Pension access at 67.
By contrast, younger cohorts face record tax levels, expensive childcare and unaffordable housing.
Mr Wiltshire said: "For under-50s, the early retirement dream seems more distant than ever," adding that concerns about future cuts to state support add to uncertainty.