Active Retirement Ireland, the country’s largest representative body for older people, today (2 February 2022) welcomed the recommendation by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands that the qualifying age for the state pension should remain at 66.
Speaking in response today, Maureen Kavanagh, CEO of Active Retirement Ireland, said: “Active Retirement Ireland has campaigned with the Stop 67 for many years to have the pension age remain at 66, so we welcome the Committee’s report. Maintaining the pension age at 66 will provide a security for older people, particularly those more vulnerable in our society.
“The report is progressive, and recognises the diverse employment circumstances of people as they age. We also welcome the banning of mandatory retirement ages from work contracts which are discriminatory and ageist. This recommendation will give older people the choice to retire or to continue working – a choice which is dependent on the nature of employment older people are in.
“As the report acknowledges, certain types of employment do not facilitate longer working lives, such as manual labour and caring work, and can also have an impact on the health and wellbeing of the person in employment. Having healthier and active older people contributing to society in multiple ways is the basis of all positive ageing strategies.
“We would like to see this report go a step further and plan for the recognition of the contribution of many older people to their communities as volunteers by exploring an option to accredit this voluntary work towards pension contributions.”
ENDS
Contact: Maisie Lynch / Emily Brennan, Alice PR & Events, Tel: 086 8966298 / 086-1658629 / 01-5582151, Email: media@alicepr.com
Notes to Editors:
Maureen Kavanagh, CEO of Active Retirement Ireland, is available for interviews.
About Active Retirement Ireland:
Active Retirement Ireland is the national representative body for more than 500 Active Retirement Associations throughout Ireland, with a total membership of more than 24,000 people. It aims to end loneliness by offering older people opportunities to enjoy an active and healthy retirement.
Further information on Active Retirement Ireland is available at www.activeirl.ie, @activeirl.
