Pensioners’ weekly income rose 50% in 5 years

THE gross weekly income of elderly people rose by almost 50% between 2004 and 2009, according to latest figures.

The figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the risk of poverty rate for those aged over 65 years fell from 27.1% in 2004 to 9.6% in 2009. It also shows that the gross weekly income for elderly people rose by over 48% in this period, from €289.05 in 2004 to €428.86 in 2009.

This compares with an increase of just under 18% for those of working age (18-64) and just under 17% for those aged under 17 years.