Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

How the government will save one billion per year relatively painlessly...

  • 13-11-2009 10:52am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,539 ✭✭✭


    We all know the EU has directed our govt to cut expenditure by 4 billion this year and another 4 billion next year. Where can savings be made ?

    The answer, of course, is in the area of lump-sum "gratuity" payments to retiring employees. Each public servant is entitled to a lump sum tax-free payment of 18 months salary , on retirement at completion of service. This is in addition to the pension of 50% of finishing salary, index linked.
    The country cannot afford to give this lump sum tax free payment anymore. During the good times it was often nicknamed by auctioneers as the " cheque for offsprings property ". A person who worked in an auctioneers office confirmed in their experience, on this very board, that most of the people who bought holiday homes abroad were public servants, and specifically teachers. It is simply not needed. Most retiring public servants have their kids reared and educated, and their mortgages cleared. Its not that much more expensive to shop in Lidl south of the border compared to the North or Germany. Its absurd to be giving them tax free lump sums of 90 and 100 grand, and often more. To put things in context, a fine apartment in some parts of Ireland can be bought for well less than 18 months average ( never mind finishing grade ) public service salary.

    The savings to the government ; if 10,000 people retire each year with a tax free lump sum of, for the sake of argument, ninety grand, that adds up to a 0.9 billion cost to the government each year. If there is a cap on the pensions the government pays out as well, of say 40 or 50 k a year, then savings of a billion a year can easily be made for the exchequer. To put things in context, average industrial wage in the worlds superpower economy, and a country where Irish people have traditionally gone to in search of well paid employment, the USA, is 41,000 dollars per year, approx 27,500 euro per year. If American workers can survive on 27,500 per year and raise their families, surely retired public servants should be able to live on 40,000 or 50,000 a year, without a lump sum payment ?

    In an ideal world, such cuts would not be desirable of course, but the country cannot continue borrowing as much as it does, and lower paid public servants starting off often have kids, mortgages etc and are much less able to take cuts than todays retiring public servants. Other peoples pensions have been reduced ; why have retired public servants taken no pain at all yet ? Why should government expenditure not go somewhere towards what other governments spends on their pensions. The standard UK old age pension is less than the euivalent of a hundred euro a week / 5k a year....and they are one of the G7 countries and the second biggest contributer to the EC. Few of them buy holiday homes with their pensions;)


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,435 ✭✭✭wandatowell


    jimmmy wrote: »
    Each public servant is entitled to a lump sum tax-free payment of 18 months salary , on retirement at completion of service.

    Thats just WRONG, Its senior public servants who get the 18 month tax free gratutity. Good try though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,376 ✭✭✭ei.sdraob


    so on top of a guaranteed job, cushy pension

    they also get a golden parachute bonus?

    jebus christ the PS have more in common with bankers than the average worker :(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,376 ✭✭✭ei.sdraob


    Thats just WRONG, Its senior public servants who get the 18 month tax free gratutity. Good try though.

    why do they get it in first place?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 843 ✭✭✭eoinbn


    ?
    AFAIK everyone can take out a lump sum tax free, so I don't see why you are targetting public sector workers on this one. It's also something I wouldn't agree with in general- it's part of their pension fund, so why tax it? What's next, taxing all pension payments?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,539 ✭✭✭jimmmy


    eoinbn wrote: »
    ?
    AFAIK everyone can take out a lump sum tax free, so I don't see why you are targetting public sector workers on this one.

    Because government / public sector pensions come from the government, and the government cannot afford it.
    Few private sector workers have pensions. Those private sector workers who do have pensions have largely seen the value to them decimated. If the employer can afford to give big pensions to the retiree employee, good luck to them, as long as its not coming out of my pocket.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    jimmmy wrote: »
    public servant is entitled to a lump sum tax-free payment of 18 months salary , on retirement at completion of service. This is in addition to the pension of 50% of finishing salary, index linked.

    If they have 40 years service..otherwise its pro-rata
    During the good times it was often nicknamed by auctioneers as the " cheque for offsprings property ".

    No it wasn't...it was referred to as that last week...by you
    To put things in context, a fine apartment in some parts of Ireland can be bought for well less than 18 months average ( never mind finishing grade ) public service salary.

    apartments for €75,000 ? I hadn't realised that the market had gone so low

    Other peoples pensions have been reduced ; why have retired public servants taken no pain at all yet ?

    because decisions need to be taken...but not on the basis of revenge or spite?


    My view...

    this form of retirement pension is common to defined benefit pensions, both in public service and private sector

    it has been changing over time and I have no doubt it will change in the near future for new entrants

    however....I stand by my view about changing pension entitlements for current public servants...that it would be very difficult to just change with a stroke of a pen the system when people have been told that this is what they are getting and they are not allowed fund their own pension scheme

    jebus christ the PS have more in common with bankers than the average worker

    I understand that the banks defined contribution pension is even more generous


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,539 ✭✭✭jimmmy


    Thats just WRONG, Its senior public servants who get the 18 month tax free gratutity.
    You think only "senior" public servants can "can take out a lump sum tax free", as eoinbn says ?

    Do not forget the reason many Gardai , teachers, hospital workers etc are retiring early this year is because they fear changes to their pension arrangements in the forthcoming budget.;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,539 ✭✭✭jimmmy


    Riskymove wrote: »
    If they have 40 years service..otherwise its pro-rata

    Its less than 40 years for certain sections of the public service...eg 30 years for Gardai, 15 years for judges etc. And yes it is pro-rato : nobody suggests 22 year olds could retire on full pension after only a few years work ( yawn ).

    Riskymove wrote: »
    No it wasn't...it was referred to as that last week...by you
    And also by some auctioneers.
    Riskymove wrote: »
    apartments for €75,000 ? I hadn't realised that the market had gone so low
    And even less in some parts of the country eg on this board last week or the week before, there was a link to a fine apartment of 1000 sq.feet for sale in Moville, Co. Donegal.


    I am sure if / when the IMF moves in it will cut public service pensions back to realistic, sustainable levels even less than that I am proposing...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    jimmmy wrote: »
    And yes it is pro-rato : nobody suggests 22 year olds could retire on full pension after only a few years work ( yawn ).

    i didn't suggest that you did but dont let that get in the way of a good yawn

    my point was more about that people can retire at 60 or 65 or whatever without 40 years service and hence wouldn't get full benefits
    eg 30 years for Gardai, 15 years for judges etc.

    Guards are a small proportion of pensioners and its related to the requirements of the job (or least the traditional view of that, which can be debated)

    judges are appointed relatively late on in life and can hardly be expected to serve for 40 years



    And also by some auctioneers.


    one link or source..please.....it never happened...you know it




    My solution to this and the pension is to have a reasonable cap limit

    I dont think too many public servants will debate that someone getting €200k or €300k lump sums or pensions over €100,000 is crazy


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,458 ✭✭✭OMD


    Riskymove wrote: »


    my point was more about that people can retire at 60 or 65 or whatever without 40 years service and hence wouldn't get full benefits

    Yes they can get a full pension if they have done less than 40 years. They simply "buy" extra years. This is where they pay a very small amount of money to get a larger pension. This practice needs to be abolished immediately.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,539 ✭✭✭jimmmy


    Riskymove wrote: »
    i didn't suggest that you did but dont let that get in the way of a good yawn

    my point was more about that people can retire at 60 or 65 or whatever without 40 years service and hence wouldn't get full benefits

    Thats common sense ; if someone joins the public service at 50 + retires at say 60 they only get pro-rato pension ie only a proportion of the amount someone who has completed their years of service ( be it 15, 30 or 40 ) would get.



    "The country cannot afford to give this lump sum tax free payment anymore. During the good times it was often nicknamed by auctioneers as the " cheque for offsprings property ".
    Riskymove wrote: »
    one link or source..please.....it never happened...you know it
    You say "it never happened" ? How can you say with authority what every auctioneer has said or not said ? As I also said, a person who worked in an auctioneers office confirmed in their experience, on this very board, that most of the people who bought holiday homes abroad were public servants, and specifically teachers.

    To get back to the point, do you not agree that this billion can be raised relatively painlessly, as the group of people concerned largely have their kids reared, houses they bought 30 or 40 years ago paid off , etc ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    OMD wrote: »
    Yes they can get a full pension if they have done less than 40 years. They simply "buy" extra years. This is where they pay a very small amount of money to get a larger pension. This practice needs to be abolished immediately.

    its not a small amount of money to buy additional service, its actually quite expensive....it usually takes the form of funding a long-term AVC scheme in a pension scheme


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,616 ✭✭✭97i9y3941


    one thing makes me bloody sick is,alot this hypocrites in the dáil are teachers that are still on "leave" and get a bloody pension from that too,so how come no one has attacked them on that,urgeing them they could save the country money to giveing up the pensions trevor sargent did,and i dont want to hear of this because they are entitled to rubbish,if that was the case,a person who claimed welfare fraudulently *like those who are legit way by doing sub work and claiming pensions*,should say im entitled to it too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,458 ✭✭✭OMD


    Riskymove wrote: »
    its not a small amount of money to buy additional service, its actually quite expensive....it usually takes the form of funding a long-term AVC scheme in a pension scheme

    Relative to the money they get back in pension and lump sum it is a small amount. An AVC scheme is slightly different and usually much worse value for money. Indeed an AVC is like a private pension and compared to a public service pension you are right it is very expensive.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,458 ✭✭✭OMD


    Fred83 wrote: »
    one thing makes me bloody sick is,alot this hypocrites in the dáil are teachers that are still on "leave" and get a bloody pension from that too,so how come no one has attacked them on that,urgeing them they could save the country money to giveing up the pensions trevor sargent did,and i dont want to hear of this because they are entitled to rubbish,if that was the case,a person who claimed welfare fraudulently *like those who are legit way by doing sub work and claiming pensions*,should say im entitled to it too.

    It is worse than that. Up to the last budget teachers who became TDs were on leave as you say. They were replaced obviously by a temporary teacher. If that temporary teacher was entitled to a lower rate of pay (as they usually were) the TD got the difference. Some did not claim it many (eg Frank Fahey) did. Thankfully this was abolished in last year.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    Fred83 wrote: »
    one thing makes me bloody sick is,alot this hypocrites in the dáil are teachers that are still on "leave" and get a bloody pension from that too,

    I dont agree with that 'on leave' thing

    however teachers obviously retain service actually given, e.g. if someone was a teacher for 10 years and then leave, they keep 10 years service and will get a pension based on that (obviously significantly reduced benefits)

    (though given the nature of TDs pensions I dont think they need to worry about that)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,435 ✭✭✭wandatowell


    jimmmy wrote: »
    You think only "senior" public servants can "can take out a lump sum tax free", as eoinbn says ?

    The OP said each public servant is entitled to a lump sum tax-free payment of 18 months salary which is 100% untrue.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,210 ✭✭✭20goto10


    It's just plain wrong to go messing with a persons pension. I am in the private sector and do not get a pension but I do have a prsa. If someone was to come along at the end of my career and tell me there's a change of conditions, we're going to hold back x amount of your pension because things are pretty tough and our profits have taken a battering. They'd more than likely get a violent reaction out of me.

    Btw, are you sure the lump some is in addition to their pension? I am entitled to a lump sum on my prsa but it cones out of my pension. I assumed all pensions were like this?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,435 ✭✭✭wandatowell


    jimmmy wrote: »
    Do not forget the reason many Gardai , teachers, hospital workers etc are retiring early this year is because they fear changes to their pension arrangements in the forthcoming budget.;)

    Of course they are retiring!!!! Why would they stay only to recieve less gratutity??? Doesn't make sence to me. And since there no promotions how is the Government planning on replacing these people???


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,616 ✭✭✭97i9y3941


    the guards and the teachers will be back working on their own time when retired,its well known that they do be doing security work and sub work,some even do taxi's


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,458 ✭✭✭OMD


    20goto10 wrote: »
    It's just plain wrong to go messing with a persons pension. I am in the private sector and do not get a pension but I do have a prsa. If someone was to come along at the end of my career and tell me there's a change of conditions, we're going to hold back x amount of your pension because things are pretty tough and our profits have taken a battering. They'd more than likely get a violent reaction out of me.

    Btw, are you sure the lump some is in addition to their pension? I am entitled to a lump sum on my prsa but it cones out of my pension. I assumed all pensions were like this?

    It is a fair point about not changing terms of pension arrangements already in force. The lump sum could be taxed however.

    For private pensions the lump sum comes out of pension fund. As it is tax free people take out as much as they can. The remainder of the pension can be taxed subject to income thresholds.

    In public pensions the lump sum is defined. Usually 3/80s of final salary per year reckonable service. So someone with 40 years will get a lump sum tax free of 1.5 years salary. Then they will get a yearly pension of 40/80s (ie half) of their final salary.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 533 ✭✭✭S.L.F


    Fred83 wrote: »
    the guards and the teachers will be back working on their own time when retired,its well known that they do be doing security work and sub work,some even do taxi's

    And so do lots of people when they retire.

    Personally I applaud them for being productive after they retire.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,539 ✭✭✭jimmmy


    S.L.F wrote: »
    And so do lots of people when they retire.

    Personally I applaud them for being productive after they retire.
    The point is, can the state afford to give them such absurd amounds of money as well, far more than they ever dreamt of in their wildest dreams when they started working all those years ago. And certainly much more than they need. Its a billion extra the state should not be borrowing to give to pamper these people. 30 to 50 k should be the max state pension + leave it at that. No lump sum "gratuities".


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,616 ✭✭✭97i9y3941


    well,i feel sorry for the taxi drivers and the security people who make an honest living,been oust over by some of these folks who retire with their pension,i mean some of these people dont have a pension after all their years of service..


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,697 ✭✭✭MaceFace


    Hey Jimmy, here is another way the government can get another billion painlessly - just raid peoples bank accounts.
    Its as hairbrained an idea as yours.

    How exactly would it be painless? There are many people who are expecting this over the next few years and it is completly wrong to just shaft them.

    BTW: I am not defending this payment - I think it is crazy, but I also think just scraping it in one foul swoop is just as crazy.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,271 ✭✭✭irish_bob


    Fred83 wrote: »
    the guards and the teachers will be back working on their own time when retired,its well known that they do be doing security work and sub work,some even do taxi's

    the local seargeant where i live , retired in 2005 , a month later he was working as a labourer for a local building contractor , he lost five stone within three months , as many pointed out , he only began working at 52 :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,539 ✭✭✭jimmmy


    MaceFace wrote: »
    I am not defending this payment - I think it is crazy, but I also think just scraping it in one foul swoop is just as crazy.
    People would still have up to € 30,000 to € 50,000 per annum to have as their public service pension : this should be enough for them to live on. Its a lot more than most people in the private sector get to live on, especially as many shares collapsed last year " in one foul swoop " for those lucky enough to have shares in the first place, and considering how property value have gone in to negative equity in for many people who were expecting to rely on a loittle bit of rent as their income. Then the govt , after charging up to 9% stamp duty in the first place, now introduces a property tax "in one foul swoop" on anyone who has an apartment as a pension...and the landlord is already paying income tax on the rent as it is.
    "In one foul swoop" someday either our minister or else the IMF will reduce or eliminate this tax free 18 months "gratuity" that retiring public servants get. The sooner the better for the rest of us. Save the billion a year.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 533 ✭✭✭S.L.F


    jimmmy wrote: »
    The point is, can the state afford to give them such absurd amounds of money as well, far more than they ever dreamt of in their wildest dreams when they started working all those years ago. And certainly much more than they need. Its a billion extra the state should not be borrowing to give to pamper these people. 30 to 50 k should be the max state pension + leave it at that. No lump sum "gratuities".

    First I was replying to another poster.

    Second the agreement was made some years ago to do this. The only reason this is a problem now is because of the big pay offs which I should point out I reall don't agree with any more than you do.

    Most public and civil servants do not get the super duper pensions it's usually only the big boys who get the really fantastic pensions so basically I'm saying I agree with you about putting a cap on the amount to be paid every year to between 30 and 50 k.

    However the lump sum should stay but have a cap on that too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 533 ✭✭✭S.L.F


    Fred83 wrote: »
    well,i feel sorry for the taxi drivers and the security people who make an honest living,been oust over by some of these folks who retire with their pension,i mean some of these people dont have a pension after all their years of service..

    What do you mean they should be discriminated against?

    No dogs

    No Irish

    No public servants need apply


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,445 ✭✭✭Absurdum


    jimmmy wrote: »
    far more than they ever dreamt of in their wildest dreams when they started working all those years ago

    Actually it was in their contracts all those years ago.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    jimmmy wrote: »
    People would still have up to € 30,000 to € 50,000 per annum to have as their public service pension :ar.

    I agree with jimmmy, I'd take that amount.

    Thanks jimbo.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,615 ✭✭✭NewDubliner


    jimmmy wrote: »
    We all know the EU has directed our govt to cut expenditure by 4 billion this year and another 4 billion next year. Where can savings be made ?
    So your brilliant idea is reneging on agreements?

    So, how about we don't pay interest on the national debt? Or we take back the 7bn we gave to the banks? Or maybe, slash all payments made to the private sector for consultancy, services, goods, rents, by 50%?

    After all, they're just paper contracts & you don't want pay what was agreed. I suppose that's how people make money in the private sector, stiff your suppliers and employees? Then, go form another company?

    So, that's all right then.

    And the 'painless' bit of your modest proposal - that's great craic entirely, nobody loses, it's a win-win?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 217 ✭✭Rob67


    Jeez, it's a real 'thanks-fest' in here! Jimmmy thanks Irishbob, who thanks Jimmmy, who thanks Irishbob, who thanks OMD and Fred 83 and I think Stark thanked someone too....

    Let me guess, this is a secret convocation of the Irish Gratitude Society, isn't it? No? International Backslappers Association? I know! Is it the annual (now weekly) Association of Society's Smugs, Hopeless Observers, and Large Ego's meeting?

    In jest,

    Rob67:D:D:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    Rob67 wrote: »

    In jest,

    Only half.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 217 ✭✭Rob67


    dresden8 wrote: »
    I agree with jimmmy, I'd take that amount.

    Thanks jimbo.

    I would love my pension to be that much!! I'd never have to work again!!!


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,616 ✭✭✭97i9y3941


    its the golden goose the gov is,they afraid to let go people like they would in a public sector in fear of been sued because of this im entitled to it or i signed up for stuff,so the pensioner or person drawing the dole will get cut instead to make up for it,even if you are let go,like the instance of fas you get a lovely golden handshake to feck off...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 533 ✭✭✭S.L.F


    Fred83 wrote: »
    its the golden goose the gov is,they afraid to let go people like they would in a public sector in fear of been sued because of this im entitled to it or i signed up for stuff,so the pensioner or person drawing the dole will get cut instead to make up for it,even if you are let go,like the instance of fas you get a lovely golden handshake to feck off...

    You of course can prove all this


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,616 ✭✭✭97i9y3941


    Rob67 wrote: »
    Jeez, it's a real 'thanks-fest' in here! Jimmmy thanks Irishbob, who thanks Jimmmy, who thanks Irishbob, who thanks OMD and Fred 83 and I think Stark thanked someone too....

    lol,we could tour as the 4 angry men like what matt cooper did with shane ross lol!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,539 ✭✭✭jimmmy


    Rob67 wrote: »
    I would love my pension to be that much!! I'd never have to work again!!!

    We would all love to have public service lump sum tax free windfalls when we retire, and a public service pension after that. The point is, the country is borrowing 25 billion a year, and it cannot afford it. The pension pots of many retired public servants is worth over a million euro...this is unsustainable.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 298 ✭✭mickos


    jimmmy wrote: »

    The answer, of course, is in the area of lump-sum "gratuity" payments to retiring employees. Each public servant is entitled to a lump sum tax-free payment of 18 months salary , on retirement at completion of service.

    My Father, a lowly private sector worker, would have recieved a similiar payment on retirement. A payment his employer was more than happy to pay, considering his many years of loyal service.
    Honestly I don't see your problem with this jimmmy. I don't have a problem with anybody being rewarded for their loyalty and would appreciate a similiar payment should I ever reach retirement age.
    I'm honestly looking forward to the upcoming budget, to see what Lenihan does come up with because it surely can't be as hairbrained as some posters here come up with.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,539 ✭✭✭jimmmy


    mickos wrote: »
    My Father, a lowly private sector worker, would have recieved a similiar payment on retirement.
    A payment of 18 months salary tax free ? Good for him, and good for his employer. I can assure you the vast majority of people in the private sector do not get 18 months wages tax free from their employer ( if they are lucky enough to have one ) when they retire.
    mickos wrote: »
    A payment his employer was more than happy to pay, considering his many years of loyal service.

    A gold watch was not good enough ?
    If a private sector employer can afford to give it, fine, it does not come out of my pocket. Public sector wages and pensions do though, and our childrens + grandchildren will have to fork out some of the borrowings on them too, plus interest.;)
    mickos wrote: »
    Honestly I don't see your problem with this jimmmy. I don't have a problem with anybody being rewarded for their loyalty and would appreciate a similiar payment should I ever reach retirement age.
    We all would but the country cannot afford the billion a year it is costing in extra borrowings. Get real.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,207 ✭✭✭meditraitor


    mickos wrote: »
    My Father, a lowly private sector worker, would have recieved a similiar payment on retirement. A payment his employer was more than happy to pay, considering his many years of loyal service.
    Honestly I don't see your problem with this jimmmy. I don't have a problem with anybody being rewarded for their loyalty and would appreciate a similiar payment should I ever reach retirement age.
    I'm honestly looking forward to the upcoming budget, to see what Lenihan does come up with because it surely can't be as hairbrained as some posters here come up with.

    Bank Manager?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 298 ✭✭mickos


    Bank Manager?

    I wish:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,539 ✭✭✭jimmmy


    mickos wrote: »
    I wish:D
    Not many of the 1,800,000 people in the private sector get 18 months wages tax free from their employer ( if they are lucky enough to have one ) when they retire, as well as 50% of finishing salary as pension;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,207 ✭✭✭meditraitor


    jimmmy wrote: »
    Not many of the 1,800,000 people in the private sector get 18 months wages tax free from their employer ( if they are lucky enough to have one ) when they retire, as well as 50% of finishing salary as pension;)

    I dont know of anyone!

    Any one else know anybody from the private sector (except bank execs) who get this?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    jimmmy wrote: »
    Not many of the 1,800,000 people in the private sector get 18 months wages tax free from their employer ( if they are lucky enough to have one ) when they retire, as well as 50% of finishing salary as pension;)

    but some do

    indeed some get better


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,236 ✭✭✭Dannyboy83


    jimmmy wrote: »
    We would all love to have public service lump sum tax free windfalls when we retire, and a public service pension after that. The point is, the country is borrowing 25 billion a year, and it cannot afford it. The pension pots of many retired public servants is worth over a million euro...this is unsustainable.

    I always wondered why the uptake on Maths/Science/Engineering was had become so low compared to other countries. Now that I've seen the reality of the teachers salaries/pensions, its not really surprising anymore!

    I got 445 in the leaving in 2001, and I had only about 20/30 points to spare to do Comp Sci in UCC, the uptake was huge, it was about 425.
    Now you can do computers for about 200 points, nobody wants to do it.

    Its quite common to hear of someone making the cross from science or engineering to teaching, very rare to hear the reverse tho.

    But I wouldn't blame the teachers. This is Fianna Fail's fault.


    Obviously they were feeding the property pyramid.
    By grossly overpaying teachers who are locked into the country and cannot really emigrate, you are giving them the golden handcuffs and inflating the property bubble even more.

    Fianna Fail are guilty as sin here.
    I'd say if you took a comparison of the percentage of public servants who own their own home, compared to private sector employees who own their own home, the statistics would back that up.

    Now that the property pyramid has collapsed, they simply discard the teachers, like a dirty, smelly w@nk sock.

    It's quite disgusting really from the teacher's point of view, even tho there is no alternative.
    Fianna Fail are the worst thing to ever happen to this country.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 217 ✭✭Rob67


    jimmmy wrote: »
    We all know the EU has directed our govt to cut expenditure by 4 billion this year and another 4 billion next year. Where can savings be made ?

    The answer, of course, is in the area of lump-sum "gratuity" payments to retiring employees. Each public servant is entitled to a lump sum tax-free payment of 18 months salary , on retirement at completion of service. This is in addition to the pension of 50% of finishing salary, index linked.
    The country cannot afford to give this lump sum tax free payment anymore. During the good times it was often nicknamed by auctioneers as the " cheque for offsprings property ". A person who worked in an auctioneers office confirmed in their experience, on this very board, that most of the people who bought holiday homes abroad were public servants, and specifically teachers. It is simply not needed. Most retiring public servants have their kids reared and educated, and their mortgages cleared. Its not that much more expensive to shop in Lidl south of the border compared to the North or Germany. Its absurd to be giving them tax free lump sums of 90 and 100 grand, and often more. To put things in context, a fine apartment in some parts of Ireland can be bought for well less than 18 months average ( never mind finishing grade ) public service salary.

    The savings to the government ; if 10,000 people retire each year with a tax free lump sum of, for the sake of argument, ninety grand, that adds up to a 0.9 billion cost to the government each year. If there is a cap on the pensions the government pays out as well, of say 40 or 50 k a year, then savings of a billion a year can easily be made for the exchequer. To put things in context, average industrial wage in the worlds superpower economy, and a country where Irish people have traditionally gone to in search of well paid employment, the USA, is 41,000 dollars per year, approx 27,500 euro per year. If American workers can survive on 27,500 per year and raise their families, surely retired public servants should be able to live on 40,000 or 50,000 a year, without a lump sum payment ?

    And here, we have an example of the phenomenon known as; 'Jimmmy's real fact' also known as 'Jimmy's generalisations'

    I'd love to know as to where you get the idea as this plan of yours as being 'painless'? Maybe not for you, but for some retiring Public Servants it may not be, especially those at the lower spectrum of earnings.

    So now we are all being led to believe that every Public Servant receives a pension in excess of €50K? Not forgetting your supposition that every Public Servant receives a gratuity in excess of €90k?
    In an ideal world, such cuts would not be desirable of course, but the country cannot continue borrowing as much as it does, and lower paid public servants starting off often have kids, mortgages etc ;)
    [/QUOTE]

    'The following is to be taken totally tongue in cheek and should not be construed as a true reflection of the original authors statement and is to be considered a pointer as to how some statements/ opinions can be taken out of context'

    Now to add some hyperbole to the mix; What? Do you want such Public Servants to stop such nefarious activities? My God man, does your distaste for all things Public Service know no bounds? What do you want now, mandatory sterilisation of all young Public Servants? No Public Servant is to be permitted to take out a mortgage?

    I am only joking of course, I know you would never propose such draconian measures!

    I'm sorry Jimmmy, in real life you may be really nice guy (and I hope you are), but I really cannot take you seriously any more.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,539 ✭✭✭jimmmy


    I dont know of anyone!

    Any one else know anybody from the private sector (except bank execs) who get this?

    Riskymove knows someone who he thinks does:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    jimmmy wrote: »
    Riskymove knows someone who he thinks does:D

    Society of Actuaries in ireland:
    232,000 people are in funded defined benefit schemes or 33% of those in an occupational pensions scheme

    banks are the obvious one

    Many large firms did too (e.g. Guiness)

    many companies changed over time for new entrants but still have scheme for current members

    I fully expect a move on new entrants in public service in near future


  • Advertisement
Advertisement