asked the Minister for Transport and Power what the CIE pension is up to September, 1970; what are the present rates of pension to all CIE men; whether an increase is envisaged in the near future; and, if so, when; and if a pensioner will lose some of his pension when he reaches the age of 70.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Pensions.
35.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the wages grade pensioners. The funds of the wages grade schemes are examined by an actuary every five years. The last such examination was for the five years ended 31st December, 1968, at which date the amount standing to the credit of the schemes was £6,708,000. The liabilities of the scheme to serving and retired members at that date were £14,036,000, and in fact the fund is only kept solvent by annual subventions from CIE on the advice of the actuary.
Retirement benefits paid to CIE pensioners comprise CIE pensions and social welfare payments. On retirement, workers may opt for a CIE life pension at a uniform rate from age 65 years onwards, or for a higher pension for five years to the age of 70 years and a lower pension thereafter. The higher social welfare benefit payable from age 70 onwards offsets the reduction in CIE pension at that age and income is maintained at about the same level.
Pensioners who retired between 1st April, 1956, and 1st April, 1963, are in receipt of pensions of £1 17s 6d a week from CIE. Pensioners who retired before 1st April, 1956, are in receipt of pensions of £1 15s 0d a week. Both these classes of pension were last increased, at the request of the Government, by 10s a week with effect from 1st April, 1970. Pensioners in these two categories are eligible for the old age pension at the rate of £5 a week for a single man and £8 10s a week for a married man. This brings the total income of pensioners who retired between 1st April, 1956, and 1st April, 1963, to £6 17s 6d a week for a single man and £10 7s 6d for a married man. In the case of a pensioner who retired before 1st April, 1956, total income would be 2s 6d a week less for both single and married men. CIE pensions payable to pensioners retiring after 1st April, 1963, range from £2 3s 6d a week to £5 8s 6d a week depending on their wages on retirement and on the option which they exercised. These pensioners are also eligible for unemployment assistance between the ages of 65 and 70 years which amounts to £4 10s a week for a single man and £7 12s 6d a week for a married man. Pensioners over 70 years of age are eligible for the old age pension. The income of a pensioner who retired since 1st April, 1963, ranges from £7 to £9 10s a week in the case of a single man and from £10 2s 6d to £13 10s a week in the case of a married man.
There are no proposals before me for increases in pensions in the near future.
Would the Minister not agree that it is grossly unjust to reduce the pension of a CIE worker when he reaches the age of 70, remembering the miserable pittance that some of these workers get? There are a number of pensioners who get £2 11s 3d between 65 and 70 and, when they reach 70, these pensions are reduced by 50 per cent. That is a real injustice. When a man reaches 70 his little pension should be left to him. Will the Minister examine into this?
I have been in touch with the pensioners. As I stated, we increased the pre-1963 pensions by 10s a week and that came into effect on 1st April of this year. I have met the other categories of pensioners and we are at the moment considering proposals put forward by their association.
But the Minister will do nothing.