Legislation will address dilemmas of retirement that face older people

PROPOSED legislation that seeks to abolish mandatory retirement will give older workers a choice when it comes to their own retirement, according to local Sinn Féin deputy, Sean Crowe.

Speaking in the Dail, on a Sinn Féin Bill that seeks to abolish mandatory retirement, Deputy Crowe said that the Bill addresses a “multitude” of dilemmas that face older people when they are forced to retire at 65 years – and forced onto a job-seekers payment for a year before they can receive their State pension.

Deputy Crowe said: “This pathway to a pension can be degrading, and it is unnecessarily upsetting for many people who worked all their life and never claimed a welfare payment.

“The legislation will also help to alleviate the unjust and disproportionate impact on senior citizens, particularly women, who may have taken time out of work to raise families or to care for a loved one and now find themselves in the vulnerable position where they cannot draw full pension entitlements.

“This is because of changes introduced by the former Labour leader and Social Protection Minister, Joan Burton. Due to these changes many women now find they don’t have sufficient contributions to access a full state pension.”

During his Dáil address, Deputy Crowe also dismissed the argument that if people retire at an earlier age it will generate more youth employment.

“Such statements have been dismissed time and time again,” Deputy Crowe said.

“The experience and wealth of knowledge held by an older person at work can be taught to younger workers coming in.

“Research from other countries would also suggest that the retirement of older people has no proportionate impact on the employment of young people, with evidence suggesting that it is inclusive societies that work best in every way.

“It is vitally important if we want to see an inclusive society that we treat all our citizens equally, including all those who are in the senior citizen category.”

According to Deputy Crowe,

1.4 million people will be aged over 65 by 2046, compared to 530,000 people recorded in the last census.

“As it stands, a worker forced into retirement at the age of 65 is entitled to a Jobseeker’s Benefit of €188 at the maximum rate until he or she turns 66,

“Financially, it makes sense for an older worker to continue to contribute to the Exchequer instead of withdrawing payments from it.

“It also deals with the reality that retirement without an extra income means a huge decrease in income.”