2026 CAMPAIGN FOCUS  

To Remind & Inform: Please circulate 

RETIRED AVIATION STAFF ASSOCIATION

RASA PENSIONERS

Employers Defined Benefit [IASS] Pension Scheme

for Retirees of AER LINGUS, DAA [formerly Aer Rianta], & SAA

AUSTERITY FOR RASA PENSIONERS CONTINUES

·               2007 - Cost-of-Living Increase Ceased

·        2011 - Government Imposed Pension Levy Deductions Continue

·        2015 - Retroactive Government/Employers/Trustees Imposed Cuts of 10%/20% 

·        Barred by all involved from IASS Benefit Reduction Compensation Mitigation/Buyout.

·        Barred by all involved from having a Voice at the table where decisions taken about their pension benefits*

RETIREES WANT THIS FIXED

NO INCOME PROTECTION OR SECURITY IN RETIREMENT FOR RETIREES WHO ARE FORMER AERLINGUS & DAA/SAA EMPLOYEES

·        Retirees Regularly Contributed [% of Salary Sacrificed] to their Employer Occupational  Pension Fund [IASS] following ‘Auto-Enrolment’

·        *Retirees want support for the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021

END AUSTERITY NOW

END AGEING INTO POVERTY

END RETROACTIVE LEGISLATIVE CUTS

March  4  2026  - Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021 -Retired Workers Collective Network.  

RASA is one of the organisations of the Retired Workers Collective Network under the aegis of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, who are seeking everyone's support to progress this legislation in the Oireachtas.   There is a Private Members’ Bill before the Dáil since 2021, which would give legal rights and a voice to older people in relation to their occupational pension.   This would be through the State’s Industrial Relations structures.

Many pensioners believe the “money message” will be used to block the Bill as has happened to many Private Members’ Bills.

In this context RASA would encourage all retirees to make contact and/or write to their local TD to request their support for this Bill. More details available on Irish Senior Citizens parliament website.

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Dear insert name of TD

I am writing to you as your constituent to highlight my concern at the lack of interest or consideration shown by the Government on the issue of pension rights for older people. There is a Private Members Bill before the DAIL since 2021, (see additional information below) which would give legal rights and a voice to older people in relation to their occupational pension. This would be through the Workplace Relations Commission.

 The situation at present means the income of retired pensioners, can be reduced without their consent or having a voice and seat at the table. This is placing some pensioners at serious risk of poverty. Over the period of the Bill’s progress to Committee Stage, the Government have opposed this Bill albeit acknowledging the inequality and unfairness older pensioners are experiencing. They have never proposed an alternative to address this inequality.

The proposed Bill is now with the Government for a decision [April 2026] .   The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, strongly believe that there is no need for a Money Message and are concerned that this may be used to block the Bill.

I am asking you to urge your party to progress this Bill to Committee Stage or propose an alternative that would give older people equality and address their rights in relation to their occupational pension.

DO NOT BLOCK THIS BILL

ALLOW THE BILL TO GO TO THE OIREACHTAS COMMITTEE. 

ALLOW PENSIONERS IN RECEIPT OF PENSION THEIR VOICE

Yours sincerely

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