Pensions Board bringing the world of pensions

3 June 2005: The Pensions Board is bringing the world of pensions to the Woman’s World Show at the RDS in Dublin this weekend. The Pensions Board will have an information stand at the event and personnel will be available to discuss all aspects of pension provision.

The Board considers the issue of women and pensions to be a very serious matter given that only 46% of women in the Irish workforce have pension coverage. Women are particularly vulnerable in the area of pension provision with only one third of working women outside the public service currently having a pension arrangement.

Speaking about the issue, Mary Hutch, Head of Information and Training, Pensions Board said: “We’re hoping that while the women at the Show are checking out the health and beauty stands at the Woman’s Show, they will also consider their financial wellbeing and visit The Pensions Board stand this weekend”.

“Women of every age need to secure their future now and look at their pension arrangements. And although for many of these women retirement may seem like a lifetime away, the sad reality is that unless attitudes change, retirement for hundreds of thousands of women in the future may mean managing on the State pension of €179.30 per week,” said Ms Hutch.

The Pensions Board recently launched a comprehensive booklet outlining the way in which women can provide financial security for themselves as well as addressing the many pension issues specific to women, whether they are married, separated or divorced, working in the home, working as a carer, part-time work, maternity, parental leave and re-entering the workforce.

‘Women and Pensions’ and a range of information booklets published by the Board are available free of charge by contacting the Information Unit at the Pensions Board on Lo-Call 1890 65 65 65 or on (01) 6131900 or by visiting the Board’s website www.pensionsboard.ie.

About The Pensions Board
The Pensions Board is the statutory body set up to regulate occupational pension schemes and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) and to advise the Minister for Social Affairs, and through him, the Government, on overall pension policy development.

Media Queries:

Mary Hutch
Head of Information and Training
The Pensions Board Tel: (01) 6131900

Jackie Gallagher
Q4 Public Relations Tel: (01) 4751444 Mobile: (087) 2371838