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The state pension age will not rise to 67 next January, Michael McGrath has confirmed.<\/p>\nThe state pension age will not rise to 67 next January, Michael McGrath has confirmed.<\/p>\n
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform said in his budget speech that a Pensions Commission will be established and that the Government would consider the commission\u2019s report in due course.<\/p>\n
The Government also did not increase the state pension.<\/p>\n
Dublin pensioner Don Johnson said the only welcomed announcement for senior citizens is the five million additional homecare hours on top of the 19 million from 2020.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to keep our independence to some degree,\u201d Mr Johnson, 68, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there are some disappointments in the budget and that\u2019s the increase in the utility bills which is a heavy burden to carry and it will have a big impact on us.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be a big increase in the energy use as there is talk about a bad winter coming and because of the virus you can\u2019t go out, you have to stay in more.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was also an increase to the fuel allowance and the living alone allowance which is set to benefit older people.<\/p>\n
However, Mr Johnson said that a number of elderly people are concerned about the increase in heating bills as pensioners are spending a lot more time at home.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrying to keep your home heated is always a problem. You do your exercises to keep the body in shape but in winter it can be hard on people.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also disappointing there is no rise in the state pension because these days every penny counts.<\/p>\n
\u201cFood, clothing and shelter are essential and you are trying to keep everything together and if you don\u2019t have that, you are in serious trouble.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why organizations like Alone are great, I can\u2019t say enough great things about them.\u201d<\/p>\n