State pension system is unsustainable, says Heather Humphreys

Link:https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/state-pension-system-is-unsustainable-says-heather-humphreys-1.4792791

Excerpt:

The State pension system is “not sustainable” and there is “no getting away from that fact”, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has said.

Ms Humphreys also said there are “no easy options” when it comes to reforming the State pension.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands said in its report, published on Wednesday, that the State pension age should not rise beyond the age of 66.

Its view runs counter to the stance of the Pensions Commission which argued the pension age should rise in steps to 67 by 2031 and then to 68 by 2039.

….

“Today we have 4.5 people working for every one pensioner, by 2050 we will have two people working for every pensioner,” Ms Humpreys said.

Author(s): Sarah Burns

Publication Date: 3 Feb 2022

Publication Site: Irish Times

Gardaí investigating after man’s body used in apparent attempt to claim pension

Link:https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/garda%C3%AD-investigating-after-man-s-body-used-in-apparent-attempt-to-claim-pension-1.4782598

Graphic:

Excerpt:

Gardaí are investigating the death of a man in Carlow town, whose body was brought into a post office by two others in what appeared to be an attempt to claim the deceased’s pension.

The bizarre series of events began when a man entered the post office at Hosey’s shop on Staplestown Road at about 11.30 am on Friday.

The man wanted to collect a pension payment on behalf of an older man but was informed by a staff member that the pensioner would have to be present if a payment was to be made.

The man left the post office and returned a short time later with two other men, one of whom was in his 60s. The two younger men are understood to have sought a pension payment for the third man, who it appeared was being propped up.

….

The deceased man, named locally as Peadar Doyle, is believed to have been in his late 60s and a resident of Pollerton Road, close to the post office.

Author(s): Jack Power, Ronan McGreevy

Publication Date: 21 Jan 2022

Publication Site: The Irish Times