The plight of pensioners’ financial situation seems to escape the focus of any administration. The only time pensioners receive any attention from politicians is when a general election is about to take place.

The time is up for politicians to use this category of the electorate as a bunch of inferior people throughout the five years in government only resort to solicit a push from this nucleus of voters on the eve of an election. This nucleus constitutes a good chunk of the electorate, who may number about 60,000 individuals and, therefore, may influence the outcome of an election result when this takes place.

All it needs is for pensioners to discover their hidden strength in using their vote wisely: in favour of any of the contesting parties that seriously listens and positively acts to enhance their plight, whereby the pensioners’ well-being is being effectively eroded inching them closer to the poverty line.

To be objective one only need spell out the basic disbursements/pension earnings of a pensioner - single/widower - benefitting from a two-thirds pension based on the present maximum capped to one-third of €15,145, that is, a pension of €10,097. This is topped to €12,834 after incorporating extra bonuses given during the year.

The above table shows a listed revenue/income based on weekly/ yearly periods.

It is a straitjacket situation, no doubt, where one cannot possibly indulge in any extravagance.

Scrutinising the above list one particular item immediately sticks out as a sore thumb and that is the fact that a pensioner in this category has to pay income tax on one’s pension.

It seems that deducting one-third of one’s earnings from one’s pension on retirement does not suffice.

Pensioners need to discover their hidden strength in using their vote wisely

This tax levy looks as if it is aimed to ensure that the maximum pension is curtailed to equate to the level of inferior pensions, putting all pensions within the same parameters.

To add insult to injury, the pension of another category of pensioners is not capped but remains linked to the actual earnings, benefitting the individual while in employment, such as members of Parliament and members of the judiciary, presidents etc. if I am not mistaken.

A car, a telephone and a TV set are, nowadays, required to ensure leading a normal life and, as such, one cannot but consider these as being basic necessities. Having such necessities means paying for their upkeep as opposed to others who enjoy them as perks, like some of the parliamentarians.

Within this context, one can imagine the level of lifestyle one ends up living when faced with a lower income than one was used to. Low pension earners are simply reduced to a state which they can hardly endure let alone compare oneself with the more fortunate elite enjoying more than one pension, which additional pension may also be based on an uncapped amount.

It is simply a fact that some are more equal than others.

The gimmick of the present day two-thirds pension is a big lie at the expense of the average pensioner and this matter needs to be immediately remedied by both the present and future administrations. The State must legislate so that those living on a pension would not have to pay tax.

Is not a pension, if I may ask, meant to serve as fair pecuniary assistance to ensure the well-being of all those who would have contributed both financially and by rendering a service to the nation.

Once they retire, all deserve to be entitled to the same benefits and rewards.

It is easy for politicians to make sure they can cope with life and enjoy a decent living because they are in a position to reward themselves at the stroke of a pen. Which means that we common mortals (pensioners) have to be smart and use our vote wisely, thinking primarily of ourselves.

Let’s do it without allowing any partisan aims to interfere and by demonstrating sound maturity that were built along the years.

Description Weekly Yearly
Pension €247 €12834
Food/clothing/occasional Medicine- as opposed to being free/unforeseen expenses etc. -€150 -€7,800
Car insurance/road licence €6.7 -€350
Petrol -€30 -€1,560
Nominal house maint. expense -€10 -€520
Tax (€12,834 - €8,500 x .15) -€12.50 -€650
Bills:    
W.& E. -€7.50  
TV/Tel. -€6 -€13.50 -€702
Balance   €0

Edward Farrugia is a pensioner.

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