Sir, – I refer to your editorial ("A temporary measure?", September 30th) in which you correctly highlight the cavalier attitude of the Government towards the pension levy, and the OECD'S recommendation to set up a mandatory pension scheme. Given the level of coercion by successive governments to encourage employees to participate in company pension schemes it is, as Ronan Farren says in his letter (September 30th), " an act of blatant cynicism" that the levy is to continue. I suppose we have to remember the framing of the forthcoming budget is a balancing act designed to get Fine Gael re-elected, and continuing to raid pension savings is deemed to be a safe bet. We'll see. – Yours, etc,
MIKE CORMACK,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – I am a pensioner reliant on a private sector pension.
The pension levy and the requirement to pay tax on a minimum distribution of 5 per cent of the fund’s value regardless of whether that amount has been drawn demonstrates the complete hypocrisy of politicians in regard to pension arrangements.
All politicians have the benefit of pensions funded by the State at completely disproportionate levels in comparison to the pay that they have received, a pay level that itself is an insult to most working people. – Yours, etc,
NICK STRONG,
Glin,
Co Limerick.
Sir, – All pensioners are negatively affected, quite significantly, by the unfair, insensitive, dishonourable, high-handed behaviour of the Coalition in this matter of the suddenly no longer “temporary” levy. – Yours, etc,
LIBERATO SANTORO,
Dublin 16.