(9 December 2020) The STOP67 campaign has welcomed the removal of the pension age increase to 67 years on 1st January next in the Social Welfare Bill which will be debated in the Dáil today (9th December, 2020).
The campaign, which helped to make the pension age increase a controversial and dominant issue during the general election in February 2020, includes the National Women’s Council (NWC), Age Action, Active Retirement Ireland and SIPTU.
In a statement released in advance of the Dáil debate on the Social Welfare Bill today, the STOP67 campaign said:
“The removal from legislation of the pension age increase to 67 years next January and to 68 years in 2028 vindicates the STOP67 campaign which generated such widespread public opposition to the proposal during the February election.
“It is a significant victory for the campaign and the overwhelming majority of people who voted for political parties and independents who opposed the pension age increases.
“The campaign for an economically efficient, fiscally sustainable and socially equitable state pension system that will promote enhanced living standards for those in retirement will continue.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to strengthen social security in a number of areas such as unemployment, illness, income and family supports. We will continue the campaign to ensure that older people and, in particular, women and those who depend entirely on the State for their income in retirement, can benefit from a reformed pension system that secures their quality of life.”
ENDS
