Sir, – The IMF is suggesting that the contributory State pension of €230.30 per week be reduced to the level of the means-tested non-contributory State pension, which is €219 per week (Home News, September 11th).
This would mean that after decades of employment and paying PRSI, a typical worker would receive the same pension as somebody who never worked. Clearly this would be unfair, and a further disincentive to work. Why bother working, when those who don’t will receive the same State pension as you?
I accept that public pension expenditure should be controlled, but this can be done while maintaining a reward for work. – Yours, etc,