Menu
30/05/2018
No Change To State Pension Age Until New Calculation Systems In Place - FF
Any move to change the age of eligibility for the State Pension should be delayed until a new system for calculating pension entitlements is in place, and up and running, Fianna Fáil's Employment Affairs and Social Protection Spokesperson, Willie O'Dea has.
Making the call, Deputy O'Dea said: "There is some unease, and it's an unease that I share, that the 40 year baseline is considerably higher than the original 30 year proposal.
"I am concerned that this will disproportionately affect self-employed persons due to retire soon. Self-employed workers have only been able to contribute towards their pension since 1988. To meet the 40 year baseline would require those who started working in 1988 to continue in employment for 10 more years.
"It needs to be remembered that many in self-employment are working in physically demanding roles and forcing them to continue to working for a further 10 years would be very difficult.
"Additionally, there are many returned emigrants who spent time abroad, outside of the EU, working now in this State who will not be able to meet this 40 year requirement. It's unfair on them to say the least.
"The pensions' time bomb is a major challenge for our country. Fianna Fáil believes that action must be taken now to address it. One such way would be for the Government to ban employment contracts that stipulate retirement ages.
"If someone is willing to continue working past the antiquated 65 year threshold, they should be allowed to. Two things will happen: there will be additional contributions paid to the Social Security Fund and there will be reduced pension payments as the number in receipt of a State Pension will drop.
"I am calling on Minister Doherty to take a step back and think before she makes fundamental changes of this nature," concluded O'Dea.
(MH)
Making the call, Deputy O'Dea said: "There is some unease, and it's an unease that I share, that the 40 year baseline is considerably higher than the original 30 year proposal.
"I am concerned that this will disproportionately affect self-employed persons due to retire soon. Self-employed workers have only been able to contribute towards their pension since 1988. To meet the 40 year baseline would require those who started working in 1988 to continue in employment for 10 more years.
"It needs to be remembered that many in self-employment are working in physically demanding roles and forcing them to continue to working for a further 10 years would be very difficult.
"Additionally, there are many returned emigrants who spent time abroad, outside of the EU, working now in this State who will not be able to meet this 40 year requirement. It's unfair on them to say the least.
"The pensions' time bomb is a major challenge for our country. Fianna Fáil believes that action must be taken now to address it. One such way would be for the Government to ban employment contracts that stipulate retirement ages.
"If someone is willing to continue working past the antiquated 65 year threshold, they should be allowed to. Two things will happen: there will be additional contributions paid to the Social Security Fund and there will be reduced pension payments as the number in receipt of a State Pension will drop.
"I am calling on Minister Doherty to take a step back and think before she makes fundamental changes of this nature," concluded O'Dea.
(MH)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 November 2016
Party's Call For Govt Action On Gender Pension Gap
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have both called for government action on the gender pension gap. FF have tabled an amendment to the Social Welfare Bill which would see the eligibility criteria for the State pension reviewed to ensure that women who took time out of work to look after children or to care for a loved one, are not penalised.
Party's Call For Govt Action On Gender Pension Gap
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have both called for government action on the gender pension gap. FF have tabled an amendment to the Social Welfare Bill which would see the eligibility criteria for the State pension reviewed to ensure that women who took time out of work to look after children or to care for a loved one, are not penalised.
08 August 2016
SF Slams Proposals To Increase Part-Time Pension Threshold
Sinn Féin (SF) has slammed Government proposals to increase the threshold of part-time workers in order to qualify for the contributory State pension. Under the new Budget plans, part-time workers will have to earn a minimum of €70 per week in order to receive the benefit. The current threshold is €38 per week.
SF Slams Proposals To Increase Part-Time Pension Threshold
Sinn Féin (SF) has slammed Government proposals to increase the threshold of part-time workers in order to qualify for the contributory State pension. Under the new Budget plans, part-time workers will have to earn a minimum of €70 per week in order to receive the benefit. The current threshold is €38 per week.
04 April 2019
Fianna Fáil Raise Concerns Over Delays In Pension Increases
Some 78,000 pensioners are still waiting on a decision about their entitlement to an increase in the State Contributory Pension, according to Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Older People and TD for Waterford, Mary Butler. New figures released to Deputy Butler reveal that as of 28th March 2019, only 11,646 of 90,000 reviews have been completed.
Fianna Fáil Raise Concerns Over Delays In Pension Increases
Some 78,000 pensioners are still waiting on a decision about their entitlement to an increase in the State Contributory Pension, according to Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Older People and TD for Waterford, Mary Butler. New figures released to Deputy Butler reveal that as of 28th March 2019, only 11,646 of 90,000 reviews have been completed.
31 August 2016
Reform Needed To Ensure Women Do Not Lose Out On Full State Pension - O'Loughlin
Reform is needed to ensure women are not denied access to a full pension, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Equality Fiona O'Loughlin, has said. Deputy O'Loughlin stated that women who take time out of the workforce to care for children or the elderly relatively risk not having made enough contributions to qualify for the full state pension.
Reform Needed To Ensure Women Do Not Lose Out On Full State Pension - O'Loughlin
Reform is needed to ensure women are not denied access to a full pension, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Equality Fiona O'Loughlin, has said. Deputy O'Loughlin stated that women who take time out of the workforce to care for children or the elderly relatively risk not having made enough contributions to qualify for the full state pension.
28 October 2015
FF Raise Concerns Over Ireland's Pension System
Fianna Fáil has raised concerns after the Melbourne Mercer Global Pensions Index (MMGPI) ranked Ireland's pension system 11th out of 25 countries for a second year running. The report also ranked the sustainability of the Irish pension system is ranked in just 20th place.
FF Raise Concerns Over Ireland's Pension System
Fianna Fáil has raised concerns after the Melbourne Mercer Global Pensions Index (MMGPI) ranked Ireland's pension system 11th out of 25 countries for a second year running. The report also ranked the sustainability of the Irish pension system is ranked in just 20th place.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
