AD said today that if it had a presence in parliament, it would work to ensure a sustainable and socially just pension system which would guarantee a decent quality of life for retired elderly people.

Chairman Michael Briguglio told a news conference that Alternattiva Demokratika believed in a socially just and economically sustainable pensions system.

“We need to address this issue without further procrastination. As it is, the pension system will ultimately lead to financial collapse and to poorer pensioners."

Dr Briguglio said that a second pillar pension under state responsibility should be introduced to ensure the sustainability of the pensions system and that people saved an extra amount of money which would be used solely for pensions.

“We believe that the second pillar should, however, be introduced in a responsible manner, thus avoiding shocks in people’s quality of life. The state should make up for persons who cannot contribute to the second pillar and should reduce the 40-year contribution requirement for eligibility for full pensions. It is not acceptable to rely only on a voluntary third pillar, as proposed by PL, as this will mean that many people will end up without a decent pension due to lack of public funds,” he said.

Angele Deguara, AD spokeswoman for social policy and civil rights, said pensioners who were entitled to contributory pensions of which they were eventually deprived should be compensated.

 AD in Parliament would present a motion for all Maltese citizens to be treated equally with regards to pensions, and for MPs not to have privileged pension rights.