Submission 65

February 2008

Many years ago, the Government in power began to reduce the age at which the non-contributory pension was payable from age 70 to age 65 years, which would have been the age for UK pension. It was done on a year by year basis 69, 68, 67 etc., but when 66 was reached the government was voted out of office and the non-contributory OAP is still payable at 66.

At no stage have I heard or read of any dissatisfaction with this position either in the media or in the Oireachtas, which I find surprising. Neither was any attempt driving our affluence to complete this job. On the other hand, the social welfare contributory pension is payable at 65 years. I think this anomaly should be corrected.

I suspect that the magic number of 66 was used for the introduction of the free travel pass because of the above anomaly. This must surely cause dissatisfaction to those who retire at 65 on their contributory pension. During a whole year at the start of the their retirement they may be discouraged because of the high cost of travel, from visiting the more distant parts of their country. I think therefore that the free travel pass should be issued at age 65. You will have noted that the Northern Ireland Executive propose to introduce free transport at age 60.

No reference is made above to the possibility that the age of retirement may be extended in the future. Let us deal with first things first.