Age Action, Ireland’s leading advocacy organisation for older people, has welcomed the increases in the State Pension which will take effect this week.
The top rate of the State contributory pension will rise by €5 to €243.30 and the non-contributory pension will rise by the same amount to €232.
Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communications with Age Action, said: “This week’s pension increase may be small but it is certainly welcome and particularly so for the tens of thousands of pensioners who rely entirely on the State Pension for their income.
“They are coming under enormous pressure from steadily increasing energy and health costs and the pension increase is a badly needed source of additional funds.”
Disappointment
However, the organisation is disappointed about the timing of the increases and pointed out not all pensioners will benefit equally.
Justin Moran continued: “This is the second year in a row the pension increase has taken place in March instead of January.
“It is disappointing that in the coldest months of the year the extra money wasn’t available to help pensioners stay warm and we hope any increase next year will take effect from the start of 2019.
“It should also be remembered that not every pensioner will get the €5 increase. Pensioners on the lower rates, including many who are on those rates because of time spent caring for their families, will only receive a proportion of the €5 increase.”
