Union: TD pension loophole ‘salt in wounds’ of younger teachers
The pension for new entrants and those returning to work in the public service after a six-month break or longer will be calculated on their average career earnings. However, former TDs and senators who return to the Oireachtas, either by election or nomination, will have pensions for any future service in the Dáil or Seanad based on their final salaries, as applies to serving public servants.
The measure in the Public Service Pensions Act 2012 has been defended by Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin. He says it is to reflect the different circumstances for politicians who have to seek re-election every few years to keep their jobs, even though those who did not seek re-election will also benefit if they get back into the Dáil or Seanad.