Uncover the pivotal debate shaping Britain’s welfare state: the politics of retirement and state pensions from 1878-1948. This influential study delves into original research, revealing how social reformers, political parties, and unions forged the modern pension system. It offers fresh insights into social history and a radical reinterpretation of the Beveridge Report. Essential reading for students of social policy, political science, and anyone keen on understanding the evolution of welfare systems.