Irish pensions set to see another fall

Irish pensioners are projected to suffer the biggest fall in the real value of their occupational pensions in the EU over the next few decades, according to European Commission figures.

Increasing the length of time people work before qualifying for a pension and linking it to changes in life expectancy is a key recommendation in reforms put forward in Brussels.

At present about a quarter of the EU population is over 65 but by 2050, this will have doubled, so for every pensioner there will be just two people working, the Commission warns.