A survey of An Garda Siochana, Prison Service, Fire Brigades and Defence Forces members has found great concern with changes to their pension entitlements introduced for those who joined after 2013, with over 73% believing they will have to find alternative employment before retirement age.
The survey of more than 3,000 members also found that more than 90% of respondents were concerned or very concerned by the impact of the pension changes. With 92% saying it would be a concern for them and their families when voting in the upcoming general election.
SIPTU Organiser, Geoff McEvoy, said: “For recruits since 2013, the way the current pension scheme is constructed, they are looking into a future of financial hardship for at least four years and possibly over ten years after they retire because they will get no support from the State. There was access to a supplementary pension in previous schemes, but this was removed and has a disproportionate impact on uniformed services which have early retirement ages.”
Representative Association of Commissioned Officers General Secretary, Conor King, said: “91% of members across the services who joined after 2013 said they were very concerned about their pensions. We have been telling the government for years that this is a serious problem and needs to be solved. The solution is simply a reinstatement of the supplementary pension facility, and we hope for the sake of retention across the uniformed services that the next government takes this on board.”
Garda Representative Association President, Mark O’Meara, said: “The message from the last government was effectively to tell our members to get another job after retirement. Our concern is that many members will do just that and this will become a serious retention issue. 73% of recent recruits already believe they won’t be in a position to serve until retirement knowing the future that awaits them.”
Prison Officers Association General Secretary, Karl Dalton, said: “If the last government believes that extending the retirement age alone addressed the concerns of Prison Officers, Gardai, Firefighters and members of the Defence Forces, this survey shows just how little they understand these services and the people who work in them.”
McEvoy added: “The demands of the Secure our Future Campaign for a fair pension for recent recruits have fallen on deaf ears so far. However, these members will be making their voices heard this election. 91% of members of uniformed services, regardless of when they joined, have said they will be voting on this issue on 29th November.”