Compulsory retirement and the rise in the State pension age.

political analyst · 28-12-2019 8:12pm #1

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https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/more-than-5200-65-year-olds-are-now-on-dole-after-rise-in-pension-age-38815085.html?fbclid=IwAR0vkRFX_ULS9o-KXCndmMIDTja3sXpFWYrTmfv4zR32rUgWp1gaJwdS--s#

The number of 65-year-olds on the dole has trebled since the Government made them wait an extra year for a pension.

There are now 5,263 of them on jobseeker's payments that are €45 a week lower than the State pension.
This compares with 1,715 who were on the dole six years ago before State-funded pension payments were axed for those aged 65 to 66.
Many may have been forced to leave their jobs because of compulsory retirement clauses in their employment contracts. Others may not have been physically capable of continuing to work and some may be working part-time.

Some 65-year-old retirees are in an appalling situation because of the rise in the age to qualify for a State pension.

What is the reason for compulsory retirement in the public sector and some parts of the private sector? Surely, people who are in jobs such as teaching and the civil service and who are willing to work into their late 60s should be applauded, not compelled to retire in their mid-60s.

elperello · 28-12-2019 8:17pm

Worth noting that TD's and Senators can happily work away over 65.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 28-12-2019 8:17pm

Not many public sector workers currently 65 will be claiming the state old age pension. Most will have full public sector pensions at that stage.

political analyst · 28-12-2019 8:23pm

elperello wrote: »

Worth noting that TD's and Senators can happily work away over 65.

The difference is that they are not employed by government departments or statutory organisations directly under the auspices of government departments.

Although they work in the same building and sit in the same chambers before and after general elections (if they're re-elected!), their technical employer before the 2016 election, the 31st Dáil, ceased to exist because it had been dissolved and those who are still in office have a different technical employer, the 32nd Dáil.

On that note, the marriage bar never applied to women who were - or running as candidates to be - members of the Oireachtas.

elperello · 28-12-2019 8:26pm

political analyst wrote: »

The difference is that they are not employed by government departments or statutory organisations directly under the auspices of government departments.

Although they work in the same building and sit in the same chambers before and after general elections (if they're re-elected!), their technical employer before the 2016 election, the 31st Dáil, ceased to exist because it had been dissolved and those who are still in office have a different technical employer, the 32nd Dáil.

On that note, the marriage bar never applied to women who were - or running as candidates to be - members of the Oireachtas.

Thanks for the clarification.

Just a case of do as I say etc.

political analyst · 28-12-2019 8:28pm

elperello wrote: »

Thanks for the clarification.

Just a case of do as I say etc.

No. It's a case of constitutional classification - Oireachtas members are not government employees. The fact that the public can elect different candidates in each general election means that, unlike civil servants and other public-sector workers, they don't have job security.

elperello · 28-12-2019 8:36pm

political analyst wrote: »

No. It's a case of constitutional classification - Oireachtas members are not government employees. The fact that the public can elect different candidates in each general election means that, unlike civil servants and other public-sector workers, they don't have job security.

Most of us understand that.
No reason they couldn't use their position to legislate and make rules that are fair to ordinary employees instead of hanging them out to dry after years of service.

august12 · 28-12-2019 8:40pm

Just to note, when the 68 pension age comes into effect in 2028, we will have the highest pension qualification age in the world I think, how we have allowed this to happen, I will never understand, and the entitlement to free travel, esb allowance and probably medical card will increase to 68 as well.

punisher5112 · 28-12-2019 8:42pm

They want everyone to work till they die.

Many jobs one shouldnt go past 60 such as driving trucks or buses as they are extremely unhealthy as it is.

mariaalice · 28-12-2019 8:52pm

One of my sisters thinks we will eventually all be working till we die not sure about that but the world of work has not caught up with the fact that retirement is going up to 70 in the not too distant future.

Its not just a health issue im sure most will be health till 70 but its deteriorating eye site and hand to eye cordination for the average person.

The Rape of Lucretia · 28-12-2019 8:52pm

august12 wrote: »

Just to note, when the 68 pension age comes into effect in 2028, we will have the highest pension qualification age in the world I think

There is nothing really wrong with this. The real problem is the lack of alignment with many employment contracts which people have, lasting until they turn 65.

Pushing out pension age should have been linked to an automatic extension of any contracts to match it, but it was a legal minefield that was too big to take on without harming the chances of passing the pension age extension with such little fuss(as it was, it slipped through without any public outrage or scrutiny, as it was not understood and too far into the future for people to appreciate its consequences for them).

And so the widening hole between 65 and 68 is now appearing and affecting people.

Expect plenty of legal cases....

anewme · 28-12-2019 9:02pm

I know of someone recently told they would not be extended past 65.

After over 45 years loyal service to the Company , they are gutted.

Expecting a staff member to sign in the dole at 65 is poor.

Phoebas · 28-12-2019 9:08pm

Aren't they basically pensioned?

I can't imagine that the DSP are seriously hastling them to search for work.

anewme · 28-12-2019 9:17pm

Phoebas wrote: »

Aren't they basically pensioned?

I can't imagine that the DSP are seriously hastling them to search for work.

People will take a serious drop in income and any savings/ pension lump sum will be eaten away in the three years.

It's a poor return after a lifetime of work.

The reality is that anyone with a private pension will not qualify for jobseekers benefit/allowance, whichever is means tested.

This pensions gap is a huge issue that no one has copped.

Tony EH · 28-12-2019 9:19pm

elperello wrote: »

Worth noting that TD's and Senators can happily work away over 65.

That's alright for them and for the people who are for pushing out the retirement age.

However, in the real world, companies don't hire people who are 65. They don't even hire many people who are 55.

Finding a job in your 50's is an extremely difficult prospect.

Tony EH · 28-12-2019 9:21pm

august12 wrote: »

Just to note, when the 68 pension age comes into effect in 2028, we will have the highest pension qualification age in the world I think, how we have allowed this to happen, I will never understand, and the entitlement to free travel, esb allowance and probably medical card will increase to 68 as well.

"We" didn't get a choice in the matter.

Phoebas · 28-12-2019 9:25pm

Is Jobseekers Benefit means tested? I thought that was based on contributions.

Anyway - I'm not sure I see the major issue here. A person who used to qualify for the state pension of 200 something euro p/w at age 66 now has to wait for an extra couple of years. In the meantime, they get Jobseekers at around about the same rate.

Mad_maxx · 28-12-2019 9:28pm

august12 wrote: »

Just to note, when the 68 pension age comes into effect in 2028, we will have the highest pension qualification age in the world I think, how we have allowed this to happen, I will never understand, and the entitlement to free travel, esb allowance and probably medical card will increase to 68 as well.

It's either that or cut it, the rate is also amongst the highest in the world

AulWan · 28-12-2019 9:33pm

Edison Lazy Pavilion wrote: »

Not many public sector workers currently 65 will be claiming the state old age pension. Most will have full public sector pensions at that stage.

You'd be surprised how many don't qualify for full pensions. To qualify for a full pension requires 40 years service. Women, in particular, don't tend to have this as during their working lives they take time off for childcare reasons, or workshare. Service is calculated pro-rata - e.g. if you work mornings only, 12 months on mornings only is only equivalent to 6 months service, and so on.

elperello · 28-12-2019 9:35pm

Phoebas wrote: »

Is Jobseekers Benefit means tested? I thought that was based on contributions.

Anyway - I'm not sure I see the major issue here. A person who used to qualify for the state pension of 200 something euro p/w at age 66 now has to wait for an extra couple of years. In the meantime, they get Jobseekers at around about the same rate.

JSA €203
Contributary Pension €248

anewme · 28-12-2019 9:35pm

Phoebas wrote: »

Is Jobseekers Benefit means tested? I thought that was based on contributions.

Anyway - I'm not sure I see the major issue here. A person who used to qualify for the state pension of 200 something euro p/w at age 66 now has to wait for an extra couple of years. In the meantime, they get Jobseekers at around about the same rate.

There is a major issue.

Jobseekers Benefit you get from your stamps in (old terminology)

That's probably for about a year.

After that, you move to jobseekers allowance, which is means tested.

Anyone with a private pension or even a few bob saved, will not get the full amount so will be surviving on your own private pension. Does anyone know the limits for the means test

If your private pension is poor you will use your life savings to survive. Workers working their whole life are using up whatever bit they've saved for a bit of comfort and enjoyment in retirement are using this money to survive.

The working retirement age should match the pension age. It's also about respect. Expecting people to sign in the dole in old age after a lifetime of working and contributing is poor.

Example of means test from citizens advice:

If you have €55,000 savings:

The first €20,000 is assessed as nil, €20,000 to €30,000 is assessed as €10, €30,000 to €40,000 is assessed as €20, €40,000 and €55,000 is assessed as €60.

€10 + €20 + €60 = €90

Savings of €55,000 gives a means of €90 per week.

No incentive for anyone to pay into a private pension as it's taken from you at the end.

Sheep Shagger · 28-12-2019 9:37pm

Have heard some companies in the private sector (often European owned) having a retirement age of 60 in employment contracts.

I don't know many people who can afford to retire at 60, so at best they need to find a new employer before then - not easy or nice at that age, especially of the state pension won't kick in till you turn 66.

Also means personal pensions have to last a good bit longer.

anewme · 28-12-2019 9:40pm

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

Have heard some companies in the private sector (often European owned) having a retirement age of 60 in employment contracts.

I don't know many people who can afford to retire at 60, so at best they need to find a new employer before then - not easy or nice at that age, especially of the state pension won't kick in till you turn 66.

Also means personal pensions have to last a good bit longer.

Pension age now 68.

Phoebas · 28-12-2019 9:48pm

The difference amounts to a maximum of €45 p/w until JSB runs out - that's not a major problem.

A problem does arise after that and I wouldn't mind if they made changes to the JSA means test limits for people stuck in the transition period.

I don't see how they can change the working retirement age for people currently in employment. My contract, for example, terminates my employment at age 60. I don't think it's the business of the state to be getting in the middle of that contract.

Tony EH · 28-12-2019 9:48pm

Phoebas wrote: »

Is Jobseekers Benefit means tested? I thought that was based on contributions.

Anyway - I'm not sure I see the major issue here. A person who used to qualify for the state pension of 200 something euro p/w at age 66 now has to wait for an extra couple of years. In the meantime, they get Jobseekers at around about the same rate.

Benefit no. Allowance yes. Plus Benefit lasts for only 9 months and then you're dumped if your savings are over a particular threshold or you have a spouse working.

And yes, there is a major, MAJOR, issue here.

punisher5112 · 28-12-2019 9:51pm

Supposedly now some are been told they will only get 9 months instead of 12 months.

Happened father in law but they then changed it after telling him otherwise.

Phoebas · 28-12-2019 9:52pm

Tony EH wrote: »

Benefit no. Allowance yes. Plus Benefit lasts for only 9 months and then you're dumped if your savings are over a particular threshold or you have a spouse working.

And yes, there is a major, MAJOR, issue here.

I didn't take into account the fact that JSB only lasts for nine months.
I agree that there's a problem after that that needs a solution.

Tony EH · 28-12-2019 9:55pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

Supposedly now some are been told they will only get 9 months instead of 12 months.

Happened father in law but they then changed it after telling him otherwise.

It's been 9 months since 2012, thanks to Fine Gael, who knocked off 3 months from the previous length that benefit ran for.

punisher5112 · 28-12-2019 9:56pm

Tony EH wrote: »

It's been 9 months since 2012, thanks to Fine Gael, who knocked off 3 months from the previous length that benefit ran for.

Ok but there must be some leeway or something as they put his payment back through.

He has worked all his life.

anewme · 28-12-2019 10:00pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

Ok but there must be some leeway or something as they put his payment back through.

He has worked all his life.

Might be date or timing related as its changed fairly recently. The rest of us will get 9 months.

Even if they did, thats really only 3 months, people have 2 years of getting nothing after working their whole life.

Very poor.

punisher5112 · 28-12-2019 10:03pm

anewme wrote: »

Might be date or timing related. The rest of us will get 9 months.

Even if they did, thats really only 3 months, people have 2 years of getting nothing after working their whole life.

I know it's mad....

So many in my job haven't even made it to retirement or just out few months and they die.

Compulsory retirement and the rise in the State pension age.

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