Midlands Pensioner to mark International Day of Older People by campaigning for fairer pensions at Conservative Party Conference

Midlands Pensioner to mark International Day of Older People by campaigning for fairer pensions at Conservative Party Conference

Pensioners from across the Midlands will be coming together to mark International Day of Older People by campaigning for a fairer deal for pensioners at the Conservative Party Conference.

Campaigners will be pointing out that one in five of those who retired in 2013 have incomes below the poverty line, whilst just one in three pensioners eligible for benefits currently claim.
The new single-tier state pension from 2016 will still be below the poverty line. Only those reaching state pension age from 2016 will get it. Today's pensioners will be left out in the cold. And the new system, in the long run, will give many a lower pension than they would have received from the present system.

To save for investment, workers need secure well-paid jobs. Too many workers, nowadays, are in the kind of jobs that make it impossible to save.

Midlands TUC Pensioners Network Chair, Yvonne Washbourne, said:

"Far too many good quality occupational pension schemes have been closed down in the private sector. In the public sector there are still decent schemes available but holding down workers' wages means some cannot afford to be members.

Both present day pensioners, and the pensioners of tomorrow need a pay rise.

Policies like full and secure employment and a Living Wage don't just help get rid of poverty today they get rid of it tomorrow because they mean people can save for their old age."