18 August 2009
Following on from the findings of Aon Consulting's survey (see
TPAS news item dated 13th of August) on the increase in minimum
pension age the The Age and Employment Network (TAEN) has called on
the government to postpone the changes.
Chris Ball, Chief Executive of TAEN, says: "We're not at all
surprised that such a small proportion of those who may be affected
by the raising of the minimum occupational pension age know about
it.
"The Government's policy was conceived in a different economic
climate at the start of the decade when the EU's Lisbon and
Stockholm employment targets were set. It was agreed to remove
incentives for people to retire early by raising the minimum
occupational pension age to 55. But things have changed
dramatically since that decision was taken.
"We call on the Government to postpone introducing this change
for three years and then to review it in 2013 in the light of the
prevailing economic and jobs climate.
"Only a minority of people today are given the opportunity to
take an occupational pension at 50 - 54. However, for workers being
made redundant in this age category after next April 2010, this
policy will rob them of a financial lifebelt.
"With unemployment forecast to go on rising for the next 18
months at least, and given the huge pressures on 50 plus people who
lose their jobs, we believe it would be fair to continue the
facility for pensions to be paid at the age of 50."
