Pension levy is really a cut in gross income

I’M amazed at the attitude of the Government, IBEC and sections of the media to the so-called pension levy for public sector employees.

Why not call a spade a spade? What the Government is really proposing is an additional income levy on all public sector workers. It has no relationship to pension contributions or entitlements, but is based solely on the gross income of each public servant.

As a public sector employee paying pension contributions, I am only too well aware of the liabilities associated with the pension scheme.

For many years I have sought, without success, the approval of my employer — the HSE — to withdraw from the pension scheme because, as has been confirmed by various financial consultants, I could achieve a far greater return on my pension contributions if I was allowed to invest in a pension scheme of my choice.

Unfortunately the response of my employer to-date has been I cannot leave the public sector pension scheme as it would breach my contract of employment.

Now, to add insult to injury, the Government has decided that an additional 7% of my gross pay must be taken because they perceive me as privileged to be in a pension scheme that I have found to be most unsatisfactory.

Cllr Tadhg O’Donovan

Mayor of Fermoy

Rathcarrig

Pike Road

Fermoy

Co Cork