Pensioners may get option to work longer

IRISH pensioners may be given the option to continue working after retirement, Social and Family Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan said yesterday.

Mr Brennan told an Age Action seminar that he wanted to give senior citizens the choice to earn extra cash while still drawing their full pension and benefits.

At the moment, pensioners cannot earn more than €8 per week or their pension will be reduced.

Recent figures showed that 14% of the population will be aged 65 or over by 2011.

“My department has been examining for some months ways of removing the obstacles to earning extra while at the same time retaining full pension rights,” Mr Brennan said.

“I am examining the option of allowing those reaching retirement age the choice of continuing to work, if that is what they would like to do.

“This is not about forcing anyone to work longer. It is about offering people choice and not locking everyone into a ‘one-size fits all’ regime.”

Mr Brennan was speaking at the Older People and Poverty event at Dublin Castle to mark Positive Ageing Week.

Addressing the issue of long-term care, Mr Brennan said his department was identifying the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care.

He also said he wanted to give more access to technology for elderly people.

“The internet, mobile phones and many other devices can transform into valuable communications lifelines for older people,” he said.

The minister said the issue of an all-island free travel scheme was also moving closer to delivery following meetings at ministerial and official level north and south of the border.

He concluded: “We must not forget in this fast-paced age that our older people still have a wealth of expertise and experience to pass on to others.”