Age Action report - More clarity for pensions

Nothing is more calculated to upset elderly people than confusion about their pensions or the threat to take money out of their pockets.

According to Age Action, the voice of older people in Irish society, impending changes to the qualification criteria for the contributory state pension will mean less money for some pensioners who become eligible from next September.

Akin to yet another Government deduction by stealth, the changes in average annual PRSI contribution bands will save €2m by reducing some pensions by €39.80 a week or €1,500 in a person’s annual income “for the rest of their lives”, as Age Action put it. More than 1,100 pensioners will be hit this year, rising to over 14,000 by 2015, saving €25m.

Joan Burton, the minister for social protection, should enable those affected by these changes and who will suffer a drop of income to make up the shortfall in their state pension.

There should also be much greater clarity in long-term plans for pensioners.