Kezia Dugdale has promised to put the older generation “at the heart” of her programme for government if she wins the Scottish election in May.
The Scottish Labour leader has announced a series of election pledges for pensioners, including topping up the state pension for women to ensure they do not lose out from UK Government changes.
Ms Dugdale has also promised to protect winter fuel payments, guarantee free bus passes, protect NHS budgets and stop cuts to community services.
She said: “As people live longer and more active lives, we all have a responsibility to support them and to make sure that they can continue to live their lives to the full, without the fear of not being able to put food on the table or heat their homes.
“That’s why Labour will place the growing number of older people in Scotland at the heart of our programme for government.
“The SNP should match Labour’s plans, including our pledge to use the powers of the Scottish Parliament and protect women’s pensions.
“We can afford to make these commitments because of the fairer decisions we have taken on tax and because of our plans to use the new powers of the Scottish Parliament.”
The age at which women qualify for the state pension is due to rise to 65 in November 2018 and 66 by 2020 in order to bring it into line with men and take account of people living longer.
The changes are happening quicker than was initially expected, hitting women in particular.
Labour says its plan will ensure women born between April 1951 and 1953 will not be worse off and that equality will be achieved with male pensioners who are set to benefit from the introduction of the new single-tier state pension.
The party will pay for a top-up to women’s pensions by using Holyrood’s new tax powers.
It has pledged to add 1p to income tax, raise the additional rate of tax to 50p and will not implement a UK Government reduction to the threshold at which earners begin paying the higher rate.