Losing out because you save

Sir, – If you save money (for a rainy day) you are penalised when it comes to retirement time. This State does not want to know if you apply for an uninsured retirement pension.

I am retired since 1991 due to multiple sclerosis. I was a single-handed general practitioner with four children to educate. I had to stop work in 1991 and began to negotiate some form of retirement/disability pension from the State and the General Medical Services.

I was disabled completely, aged 40 years, due to illness. George McNeice was one of the IMO who helped to negotiate a disabled retirement pension of IR£17 per month, which is now €105.54 per month and MS goes on forever. I read that his own pension is substantially more.

Saving in this country and trying to have a few bob for educating a family and retirement is nothing but a “mugs game” for which one is penalised. Nothing in the bank means help from all sides. – Yours, etc,

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MURIEL A MULCAHY,

The Rocky Road,

Midleton,

Co Cork.