Pensions Age to ..... 72 !?

Looks like two things are going to happen over time 1) working citizens will pay more into PRSI and private pensions and 2) state pensions will be reduced or allowed to devalue. A mix of a modest private pension and a modest state pension is what we're heading for.

And of course, the 'gig' economy for retirees where they work a bit at this or that.

When they hit 40 or 50 they will start thinking about their pensions big time.

They will be retiring at 72. Let that sink in after 30 years of working and you are only about 50 :)

Sinn Féin are a professional opposition party. Anyone who thinks they'd swoop in and fix all these issues lickety-split if only they could get into government is living in cloud cuckoo land.

The reason FF/FG haven't been able to sort this over multiple terms in government is because it's a huge, multi-faceted highly complex issue. Not because they're lazy/incompetent/couldn't be arsed. (Not saying they haven't been all of those things at times over various topics, mind.)

Trim the welfare budget and give it to the people that contribute to the pot.

Well, it's not likely to happen for another 7-8 years and then by 3 months a year.

Very naieve of you to believe that could never happen. People all over the world including our island are already homeless and starving and dying on the streets.

We've had a good run in the west of late but its far from a guarantee it will continue indefinitely.

This has happened already.

For new TDs, their PS pension will be paid out at the same time as their State Pension.

This does not apply to TDs who have been there for a long time already.

This attitude is one of the reasons we are already in the mess that we are in. We cannot keep the pension age at 65/66. We cannot afford it. And the longer we pander to the people retiring now/soon, the worse it will be for the people who are retiring in 20/30/40 years time.

You cannot simply go "on the dole". Jobseeker's benefit is only for 9 months. After that, it is jobseeker's Allowance which is means tested. So if you have been sensible and have built up life savings, or a private pension, you won't be eligible.

The don't need to work. They can go on benefits and then claim a pension. As long as you are on benefits, the taxpayer picks up your PRSI contributions. And yes, the numbers of 55-year olds will be low - that is an extreme example they were giving. But the fact is that lots of people receive the same pension that haven't contributed at all, or very little. Be it people who have spent most/all their life on benefits, or older immigrants etc.

Ironically, when it comes to pensions, (good) immigrants are one of the best tools we have to fund the pension pot. People who only come here for a few years before returning home, pay their tax, but never claim benefits/pension are brilliant! Likewise, young immigrants who come to work and work their entire lives are huge contributors to the welfare pot. Likewise, with Irish people producing less and less (contributing*) next generation adults, it is immigrants who we will need to fill the gap.

*Contrary to what many left-wing people on boards claim, it is not "we need more children". It is we need "more children who are raised by good parents who will teach those children to be successful and productive adults who contribute to society".

Im with you there.

30 years voted either FF or FG. This has just tipped over though tbh.

SF can surely see there are votes in maintaining the current pension age.

If youve been voting 30 years, then you should realise SF have been conservative and anti EU for most of that. It was only when they saw an opening they changed thier 'beliefs'

The true lefts are SDs now and also the more radical smaller ones.

Voting SF would be like voting trump or boris in. The same arguments of giving them a chance were made to disastrous outcomes.

FF and FG have changed for the worse though, as have labour. And im at the age where taxes and pension now matters as it doesnt seem as far away as it did 10 years ago to me.

I never thought id ever vote SF, but here we are. They are now the best of a bad lot for the working person who would like an easy retirement. Who would have thought that?

What they claim they'd do may make them appear to be the best of a bad lot for the working person who would like an easy retirement but what Sinn Fein do in government in Northern Ireland has been almost universally the exact opposite of what they claim they'd do in our country. Their claims are about as credible as Gerry Adams denials that he was ever a member of the IRA.

You're very naieve if you believe a word they say tbh.

Jaysus. You’ve really out-bumbled yourself with that one. Are you a committee?

Or ' Arbeit Macht Frei'.

Who exactly is goign to pay for the pensions fot this "large pensioner class" ??

The number of people working for each person drawing a pension is falling. Eitehr everyone pays alot more into a pension fund or the pension becomes a gaint ponzi scheme.

It it completely unsustainable as it stands..