The Citizens Assembly has recommended abolition of mandatory retirement ages; elimination of the time gap between retirement and eligibility for the old age pension and that pensions be linked to average earnings, the Irish Examiner reports.

The recommendations come after a weekend of hearings during which the assembly looked at various issues relating to pensions for older people, work and income.

It voted on 16 proposals, which will be the basis for a report to be sent to the Dil and Seanad.

Eighty-six per cent of assembly members said mandatory retirement ages should be abolished, while 96 per cent said the issue of people being forced to retire at 65 but being ineligible for the State pension until 66 should be resolved.

The introduction of a mandatory pension scheme in addition to the state pension was supported by 87 per cent of those present, while 88 per cent said the pension ought to be pegged to average earnings.

A substantial majority also agreed to recommend that private pension schemes be renationalised.

Michael Collins, assistant professor of social policy at University College Dublin, suggested that tax breaks for those who invest in private pensions should be brought to an end.

The policy of supporting private pension provision through tax breaks is skewed towards those on higher incomes, he said.

It is worth considering whether society should more efficiently use its resources to provide an improved basic living standard for all pensions, one well above the minimum income standard, and discontinue subsidising private pensions savings.

Ms Justice Mary Laffoy, assembly chairwoman(pictured), said she aimed to have the report ready for the Oireachtas by the end of September.

10 July 2017

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