I READ with interest the letter by Julia Rose regarding 'woman's pensions' (Hereford Times, January 7).

Because I was born on July 7, 1951, I am one of the women 'caught' in the change of date to receive my state pension. Not one of the worst cases, but still unfair, I had to 'wait' fifteen months before I was able to receive my entitlement to state pension, because of this, not only did I miss out on the money (for which I had paid in to), I also could not receive my free bus pass, because I was not in receipt of my state pension. Also I had paid NI contributions without missing a week since I was sixteen years of age until I took early retirement from work when I was aged 58 ¼ years - well over the maximum number of years required to claim the state pension. This was not only unfair, it was wrong, and almost stealing by the government of the day. If the boot was on the other foot I'm sure all of us women in this age group would have been taken to court and made to pay up or else!

What do other unfortunate women think, it would be most interesting to find out about this matter?

Perhaps we are all due a refund, some hopes!

MISS JEAN SHARPLES

Eardisley

Herefordshire