Campaign on Pensions… the Next Steps

The recent debate around the Contributory State Pension has highlighted once again the need for a clear long term commitment to a fair and secure State Pension System for all.

 Last December, concerned citizens from across Ireland joined with Older & Bolder to successfully campaign against cuts to the pension. Less than six months later it seemed that the Government might have forgotten that message when the Minister for Social Protection stated in a radio interview that he could ‘not rule out’ a cut to the State Pension in the next budget.  In the days that followed, the possibility of means testing the State Contributory Pension was also raised.
The response was strong and immediate. Older & Bolder sent out a Campaign Alert and thousands of you contacted the Minister or their local TDs to tell them exactly why any such cuts or means-testing would be unacceptable.
Since then the situation has been rapidly evolving with the most recent development being a statement on Friday 28th May from the Minister for Social Protection in which he ruled out any introduction of means testing for the State Contributory Pension this December.  Older & Bolder have welcomed the Minister’s statement on means testing.  However the concerns he has raised have highlighted yet again the importance of protecting our State Pension System.  We should not be facing this same fight again every few months!
That’s why Older & Bolder are asking the Government and all political parties all parties for a long term commitment to a fair and secure State Pension System for all.  We particularly believe that commitment must underpin any further development of the recently published National Pensions Framework.  Older & Bolder will shortly be launching our own response to that framework.
We will  be keeping the pressure on for a political commitment, building up towards a big Autumn Campaign and we will be asking everyone to get involved!   If you have ideas on how to make that campaign really strong and effective, we would love to hear from you.  In the meantime, we encourage everyone to continue talking to local TDs and letting them know your views on pensions.  Why not pay them a visit before the summer break begins?   A short fact sheet and a copy of our simple one page guide to lobbying are available from our office for anyone who might find it useful.