2010

Our campaign to defend the State Pension has gathered great momentum and support around the country. At our most recent count we have received over 40,000 individual petition signatures. We also know that supporters have left TDs in no doubt about the importance of safeguarding the State Pension and related supports in December’s Budget.

We will be delivering a powerful message along with the tens of thousands of petitions to Leinster House on 30th November.

Older & Bolder says that there is no justification for further cutting State Pension and income supports in December’s Budget. Recent research shows that any change to State Pension or other supports will have significant impact on older people’s lives.

We are concerned that the rising costs revealed in recent inflation figures are making life difficult for older people most of whom are relying on fixed incomes.  In this context there is no justification for further cuts to the State Pension in December’s Budget. 

While the recent political response to our campaign to Defend the State Pension is very encouraging we are not taking anything for granted. It is clear from the statements of a number of Ministers that no decisions have been taken to protect the State Pension and it is still a distinct possibility that the Pension and the other income supports for older people may yet be cut. We’re determined to redouble our efforts; it will be important to keep lobbying your local TDs in the coming weeks.

Check out our half page advertisement in todays Irish Times (page 11) outlining our reasons to defend the State Pension and actions you can take. If you didn't manage to pick up a copy you can see the full advertisement below. While we have a great support base we're hoping that this advertisement will bring our message to a wider audience. We're always looking for feedback on our campaign materials so let us know what you think.

Link to image of advert on Flickr

On the 1st October, United Nations Day of Older People, we launched the online version of our petition to the Taoiseach calling for the State Pension and associated supports to be protected.

Older & Bolder alliance has today (Thursday 1st July) stated that the Government must place security and fairness at the heart of any reform of the pension system.  The alliance made this call at the launch of its  an important new report  “A Secure Pension System for All?”(click here for copy), a collective response from the eight member organisations to the Gove

For the last two months Older & Bolder has been enjoying an interesting conversation, one that has taken us all the way from Letterkenny to Waterford …
We have been revisiting old friends and travelling to new towns and cities, meeting with older people around the country to discuss the policies which will affect the daily lives of older people and shape the kind of society we live in.  2010 is a year of important decisions! 

Introduction – All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and human rights.  During our lifecycle, these fundamental rights are challenged on a daily basis.  To mark European Day of Intergenerational Solidarity, Older & Bolder and the Children’s Rights Alliance want to stand together in defence of the rights of older people and children.  We do not see older people and children as interest groups with competing interests.  Instead, we share a belief that an age friendly Ireland will be good for people of all ages.  The Children’s Rights

Responding to the launch of the National Pensions Framework today, March 3rd 2010, the Older & Bolder alliance says that it recognises the need for pension reform but has some concerns regarding components of the announced proposals.

In reference to the announced changes to the pension qualifying age, Older & Bolder favours flexible and individual choice for older people in relation to work and retirement age. The National Pensions Framework does not safeguard this for older people.