PENSIONERS

CIARÁN AND MARIE are married and live in Galway. Ciarán is in his late 60s and is retired while Marie is about to turn 65 and works part time. Ciarán has an occupational pension of €37,000 and also receives dividends of €5,000 a year, together with the State contributory pension. Marie earns €14,000 from her part-time job and is not a member of an occupational pension scheme.

Marie enjoys her job and understands that she will have to wait until she is 66 to receive a State pension while continuing her part-time job. She is relieved that the Minister has not imposed restrictions preventing her from claiming the State pension at 66 while continuing to work.

Ciarán and Marie own a property in Dublin which their children stayed in while attending university. Their youngest daughter recently vacated the property and they are now renting it.

They are frustrated that the Minister has reduced the tax relief for mortgage interest payments on rented residential properties from 100 per cent to 75 per cent .

They are now considering placing the property on the market for sale. However, the capital gains tax rate has increased to 25 per cent, which will also affect their decision.

While the couple are grateful the Minister will not decrease the standard-rate band or personal tax credits, they are disappointed that the income levy has increased.

After taking into account the changes in the Budget, Ciarán and Marie are €35 a month worse off.