Sir, – I refer to the letter published on Tuesday 22nd September from Finbarr Dolan regarding pension increases.
Irish governments have historically promised to benchmark the full State pension to 34 per cent of the average industrial wage.
The maximum State pension represents 28.6 per cent of the gross average wage. If correctly benchmarked, the contributory State pension, now at €299.30, would be €355.93, based on the average industrial wage of €1,046.88 published by the Central Statistics Office, which is a significant difference. These calculations are based on 40 weeks of work and social welfare contributions
Ireland is becoming less a country for older people. This is despite the well-flagged changing demographic whereby our population is rapidly ageing, making Ireland one of the fastest-ageing populations in Europe.
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Few things in life are certain, but, growing old is mandatory for all of us. A proper and fair State pension is a big contribution to ageing well.
We may be retired workers, but, we aren’t retired voters. – Yours, etc,
STEVE PETHERBRIDGE,
Vice-President,
Irish Senior Citizens Parliament,
Swords,
Co Dublin.
