Poll: Should the old age pension be cut to help reduce the Budget deficit?

If the pension was cut by €10 a week, it could save up to €300m, greatly reducing the country’s Budget deficit. But is it worth it?

THERE IS NEW speculation today that the ‘old age’ pension will be cut in the next Budget.

The Sunday Independent says that rather than means testing the pension, there are suggestions it should be cut.

The aim would be to meet the €3.1billion Budget target this year, and it is estimated that if the State contributory pension was cut – for example – by €10 a week, that would mean a saving of between €250m and €300m a year.

The government was advised by the International Monetary Fund last year to cut the old age pension, amongst other moves, to reduce the country’s deficit.

However, it is believed that Labour is so opposed to such a cut, given that it would be targeting the older population of Ireland, that it could lead to a collapse of the Government.

We ask you: Should the old age pension be cut to help reduce the Budget deficit?

Poll Results:

No (4900)

I don't know (4196)

Yes (866)

Yes
No
I don't know

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