asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that pensions of workers in the public sector, who are near retiring age, may be affected by short time working, for example three day weeks arising from Government cutbacks, as such pensions may be based on remuneration in their last years of service; and the measures he proposes to take to protect the pension rights of such workers.
Written Answers. - Public Sector Pensions.
44.
The pensions of workers in the public sector are generally based on final pay and the length of reckonable service. In the case of a pensionable worker who is on short time at the time of retirement the superannuation award is based on the annual equivalent of full time pay rather than reduced pay. The length of reckonable service excludes unpaid periods arising from short time working.