Exploring State Pension Provision for the Farming Community

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 10:30

Dr Michael Hayden and Dr Bridget McNally recently published an article titled Exploring State Pension Provision for the Farming Community in the Journal of Rural Studies with co-author Anne Kinsella (Teagasc). The article provides interesting insights for policymakers by illustrating the stark reality that under the current State Pension System, low-income farmers can fail to qualify either for the State Pension (Contributory) or the State Pension (Non-Contributory) leaving them faced with working long into their retirement years or financially dependent on family members in their old age. Proposed changes to the State Welfare System do not alleviate this predicament and this has consequences for the sustainability of generational renewal in the agricultural industry. Conscious of the view that farmers should “pay their way” as far as state pensions are concerned, a model for achieving undisputed entitlement for all farmers to the Contributory State Pension is recommended going forward.
 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.05.032
 

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