Embedded Files
2025 Annual Memorial/Ecumenical Service.
NO INCOME PROTECTION OR SECURITY IN RETIREMENT FOR IRISH RETIREES - FORMER AERLINGUS & DUBLIN AIRPORT EMPLOYEES -
FROM JANUARY 2015 to SEPTEMBER 2025
RETIREES' BASIC MONTHLY PAY REDUCED
TOTAL DEDUCTIONS TO DATE
c€64.5m cumulative
Retirees Regularly Contributed [% of Salary Sacrificed] to their Pension Fund
following 'Auto Enrolment'
To Remind & Inform: Please circulate to your former colleagues and friends
September 2025...
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 - No Cost-of-Living Increase
· 2011 - Government Imposed Pension Levy Deductions
· 2015 - 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 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
.
July 2025...
AUSTERITY FOR RASA PENSIONERS CONTINUES
FOR RETIREES OF AER LINGUS, DAA [formerly Aer Rianta], SAA
No Cost of Living Increase since 2007
Pension Levy Deductions since 2011
Basic Pension reduced 10%/20% in 2015
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Contact your Local Dail/Seanad Elected Representatives
Remind & Inform them
Ask that they take action to stop this ongoing austerity
Ask them to stop Aer Lingus/DAA/ retirees from 'ageing into poverty'
Ask them to support the
Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021 .
This Bill gives retirees a voice regarding our pensions in payment.
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RETIRED AVIATION STAFF ASSOCIATION
Retirees at Aer Lingus, DAA, SAA
IASS PENSIONS
- No Cost-of-Living Increases for years
- Still Paying Pension Levy
- Pensions Reduced by 10/20%
- Barred from a Voice at the Table
RETIREES WANT THIS FIXED AND
TO GET THEIR MONEY BACK
HELP US TO END AUSTERITY NOW AND
AGEING INTO POVERTY
REMEMBER MAJOR PROTESTS TO DAIL TWENTY YEARS AGO THIS MONTH
have a view of some photos
RASA March to Dáil Éireann - 29JUN05 | Flickr
RASA Protest - Dáil Éireann 06JUL06 | Flickr
June 2025/July 2025
Thursday 3 July 2025 - Dail PQ Questions (180,181) - on Aer Lingus pensioners and Minister for Finance's Response
Thursday 3 July 2025 - Dail PQ Questions (180,181) - on Aer Lingus pensioners and Minister for Finance's Response
Peadar Tóibín
Question:
180. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the length of time the pension levy for Aer Lingus pensioners has been in place; and the amount collected each year since the pension levy on Aer Lingus pensioners was put in place. [36694/25]
181. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if he will end the end the pension-annuity levy on Aer Lingus pensioners; if he will compensate the Aer Lingus pensioners for the money removed from their pensions-annuities, given the removal of the income cap to senior management at a bank (detail supplied), which makes it immoral to withhold the pensions-annuities of former staff. [36695/25]
Written answers
Written answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
I assume the pension levy the Deputy is referring to is the levy which was charged on pension schemes from 2011 to 2015 in accordance with section 125B Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999. This levy was not specific to Aer Lingus but was rather a levy that applied to pension schemes generally.
The levy was introduced in 2011 during the wake of the financial crash. It was charged on the market value of assets in pension schemes held on 30 June in each year at a rate of 0.6% (2011 to 2013), 0.75% (2014) and 0.15% (2015). It is important note that this levy was discontinued from 2016 and therefore is no longer in force.
Liability for the levy rested with trustees of pension schemes and others responsible for the management of pension fund assets. Under the legislation, the payment of the levy was treated as a necessary expense of a pension scheme and it was a matter for the trustees or insurers to decide when and how the levy should be passed on to scheme members and to what extent, given the particular circumstances of the pension schemes for which they were responsible.
I have no detailed information on the decisions made by any pension fund trustees or others in relation to the passing on of the full or a partial impact of the levy to the current, deferred or former (retired) members of pension schemes. Therefore, I am not in a position, nor is it within my remit, to comment on the specifics relating to the application of the pension levy to Aer Lingus pensions.
I am aware, however, that where trustees have made the decision to pass on the impact or part of the impact of the levy to pensioners that a smaller reduction in pension payments over the lifetime of the pension may have been made in many cases in preference to a larger reduction over a shorter period.
I have no plans to introduce any compensation measures to pensioners affected by the levy as suggested by the Deputy. The value of the funds raised by way of the levy have been used to protect and create jobs and this has helped to create the improving financial and economic position of the State during a time that the economy was in serious difficulties.
I am advised by Revenue, that they are precluded under section 851A Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, from commenting on the tax affairs of an individual, business or entity. Revenue is, therefore, not in a position to comment on the specific case or details referred to in this question.
However statistical information in respect of the pension levy is published on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/capital-taxes/stamp-duty/receipts.aspx
Question No. 181 answered with Question No. 180.
JUNE UPDATE: IASS - Certificate of Continued Entitlement to Pension Benefit
To be returned to Mercer by the date specified on the letter
At RASA Pension Sub Committee recent meetings with Trustees of Irish Airlines [General Employees] Superannuation Scheme, Aer Lingus First Supplementary Superannuation Scheme and Aer Rianta Supplementary Superannuation Scheme discussion took place on the requirement for an up-to-date 'Certificate of Continued Entitlement to Pension Benefit' and we were advised that Mercer will be posting out a form to be completed to each pensioner during the month of June.
To ensure the payment of your pension every month RASA would advise all pensioners to fully complete this form and return either using the Free post [for Irish pensioners only] enclosed envelope to Mercer or to Mercer online.
Please note Mercer's dedicated Pension Payroll helpline number on 01-5268704 if require further assistance. Mercer also provides another telephone number ++353 (01) 436 7741.
28 March 2025 - RASA Pension Sub Committee Meeting with Minister for Transport regarding Aer Lingus/DAA/SAA Defined Benefit Cross Border Multi-Employer Superannuation Scheme
On March 28 2025 members of RASA Pension Sub-Committee met with the recently appointed Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien to brief him on the plight of pensioners who are members of IASS Defined Benefit Occupational Pension scheme.
RASA Retirees have experienced several reductions to their pensions in payment over the last 17 years.
There has been no restoration, no buy out or mitigation for the benefit cuts to their pensions in payment.
This is a pension that was determined and fixed at the time of drawdown – like an annuity - and retirees had no voice at the table when their pensions in payments were reduced by others.
The RASA Pension Sub-Committee shared the lived experience of retirees with the Minister for Transport following these cuts, deductions, and reductions to their income e.g.
Since 2007 No cost-of-living increase
Effective from 2011 Imposition of Pension Levy – 2.53%
Effective from January 2015 cuts of up 10%/20%
Exclusion of Retirees from Buy out/transfer value of their pension benefit cuts
Excluded from having a voice at the table where decisions to reduce their monthly pension income were being made.
RASA Pension Sub-Committee sought his support and intervention in resolving this unfinished business.
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