Submission 225

Green Paper Submission

May 08

I submit that the current system of deciding what level entitlement to state old age pension does not meet the principles of equality.

I am 75 years and fully retired, my wife is 76. We get a joint payment “state pension contributory” of a measly €261.70 per week.

I went to work immediately after sitting my Leaving Certificate in 1950, apart from being unemployed for approx 6 months in the 1950’s. I was in full time employment until my retirement in 1998 when I was required to retire by the state.

We got married in 1960 and my wife left employment in 1961 to become a full-time house-wife, we reared 7 children.

I queried the reason for such a paltry pension being allocated to us. I received a long letter outlining the system but it made no sense to me, it transpires that I was penalised for my previous employment. Surely the system would be fairer and easier to operate if everyone qualified for the SAME amount at age 65, 70 or 75 or thresholds based on age regardless of previous employment or circumstances.

Please simplify the system for deciding individuals’ old age pension.