Conference Motions
Pensions in Retirement (Adopted)
Session 4 : Social Protection & Living Standards
Motion 29 )
Conference notes the growing momentum to weaken state old age pensions on the spurious and ideological-driven assertion that the state can no longer afford to provide for those in retirement; and that more and more workers are finding it difficult to fund their own retirement and when they can, are being forced into uncertain DC schemes or private pensions.
Conference further notes that all workers – in the private and public sector – have the right to adequate and certain income in retirement;
Conference, therefore, calls on the incoming Executive to prioritise pension policy development based on the leading role of the state – either through social/national insurance or general taxation – in the provision of retirement income.
In particular, to formulate proposals for a universal second tier mandatory pension system – to be largely funded by employers (as in other EU jurisdictions) and to cover all employees; this system would provide pay-related pensions and would provide certainty and adequacy in retirement income.
Further, to formulate proposals to support and incentivise occupational and defined benefit pension schemes with proper pension protection legislation.
Conference strongly believes that protecting people’s living standards in retirement is not a cost on society but rather they are an indispensable component of a growing and prosperous economy. Adopted
UNITE
Proposer : UNITE