Top retired public servants to avoid budget pension cut

RETIRED politicians, judges and other senior public servants will not be forced to take a cut in their gold-plated pensions in next week’s budget.

The Cabinet discussed cutting public pensions in excess of €100,000. But Government sources yesterday said this was not going to happen because the savings generated would not be enough to justify the cut.

Figures published last month showed 30 retired politicians are paid pensions in excess of €100,000 including Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen who get more than €150,000.