Pensions and the public sector

Sir, –You outline the more favourable pension terms applying to those public servants who joined the public service prior to 1995 (“Pensions: Pre-2013 public servants have the golden ticket while younger employees pay the price of reforms”, Business, Analysis, January 11th).

Many such people chose their career either before or shortly after sitting their Leaving Certificate. They gave over 40 years of their working lives to public service and along their journey had to endure the pay cuts, pay freezes and (lest they try to improve their lot) embargoes on promotion too. All of this, of course, went hand in hand with the poor economic performance of the 1970s and 1980s, which they can’t and shouldn’t shoulder the blame for entirely. Indeed, even in the autumn years of their career, the further economic downturn in 2008 brought further cuts in salary.

Considering the above, the more favourable terms alluded to by you is very much a case of just reward, which in many respects is too little, too late. Hopefully any future debate on our pension crisis will take account of the detail for a more balanced point of view. – Yours, etc,

BRENDAN MURPHY,