Overview

The Defend the State Pension 2010 campaign was launched on 2nd September 2010. It drew on the strength of the previous year’s campaign to protect basic supports and called for a long term commitment to a fair and secure State Pension.

This slideshow will take you through some of the highlights from the campaign

Highlights

• 5366 people viewed our powerful campaign video in conjunction with award winning producer Ken Wardrope. Which generated great coverage and media interest. View the campaign video here. 
• 5312 people signed our petition online, many leaving strongly worded comments 
• There was a huge reaction to the campaign on Facebook, Twitter and in towns and villages around the country – from all age groups.
• We supported the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament at the National Demonstration on the 27th November calling for cross-sectoral and intergenerational support as well as the defence of the State Pension
• Hundreds of supporters also joined the campaign at the Over 50s show, bringing petition sheets back to the four corners of Ireland
• Thousands of petition sheets and postcards flooded back by post and online from all over the country
• On the 30th November we delivered 43,533 signatures to Leinster House 

Ultimately the campaign was successful in that the State Pension and associated supports (household benefits package and free travel) escaped a direct cut in the Budget and Older & Bolder welcomed the allocation of an additional once-off €40 to all households in receipt of fuel allowance.