Pension age reform fudged for another day

This deal gives the country what it needs now – a stable Government

THE pension age will not go up to 67 as planned but there is no guarantee it will remain at 66 in the long term.

As part of a deal to form a new government Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens have agreed to defer this controversial move which will affect thousands of people.

This means the pension age of 66 will stay now after the leaders parked this issue.

Leaving the pension age at 66 was a key Fianna Fail’s election pledge and to have allowed the qualification age to increase would have been seen as a climbdown by Micheal Martin’s party.

Fianna Fail finance spokesman Michael Mcgrath confirmed yesterday the pension age will not increase next year but that a commission will be established to examine the area and to make recommendations.

He told RTE’S Morning Ireland: “The final details will be confirmed once the document is published but this has been an issue of considerable debate right through the election campaign, and indeed since, and it is an important issue for our party over the course of the negotiations.

”We are satisfied with the shape of what is being agreed which will ensure that the pension age is not going to increase next year.”

The State’s pension age was due to be increased to 67 next year and 68 in 2028 but has been one of the key obstacles in the government formation talks.

The commission will examine a new auto-enrolment system for everyone in employment and the contributions workers will be expected to make in order to receive a State pension.

Michael Mcgrath added: There will be a commission on pensions to conduct a thorough examination of the issue.”

85

The number of TDS the coalition will have in the new Dail

LEO VARADKAR DUBLIN YESTERDAY