Older women in dangerof falling into poverty

Older women could be forced into poverty because of inadequate pensions, a reliance on partners they may outlive and historically poor working conditions.

A cross-border report has warned that unless the issue is addressed today, the hidden crisis could push many into severe financial problems in their later years.

The Older Women Workers Access to Pensions: Vulnerabilities, Perspectives and Strategies document, published yesterday, was drawn up by researchers at NUI Galway and Queens University Belfast.

It found that despite the increased focus on equal working rights, retired women are suffering from financial problems not of their own making.

According to the report, less than one in three female pensioners receive the maximum contributory pension available to them, while two out of three rely on the non-contributory pension.

In addition, new pension levies and rules for calculating contributory pensions for people with less than 30 years’ worth of contributions mean the minimum weekly sum is likely to drop from €115 to €76.

This situation will mean “a highly insecure future for many women, who are most likely to be in receipt of the minimum contributory pension”.

A significant number will also have inadequate savings with which to supplement their pensions.

As a result, the researchers said these people run the risk of becoming depend on their partners.

“With the economic crisis, this particular group in society is being put under even more financial pressure and the long-term result looks set to be financial insecurity in older age,” said Dr Nata Duvvury, the co-director of the Global Women’s Studies Programme at NUI Galway and a lead author of the study.

The full report is at www.icsg.ie; request from [e-mail].