Ireland

This chapter considers the gender and health implications of policies designed to extend working lives in Ireland from a feminist political economy of ageing perspective. The socio-economic context, gender, pension and employment regime and the recent economic recession are discussed. Older Irish women’s employment has increased from a low base but is still relatively low. There is a gender pay gap and a higher gender pension gap. Women’s pension coverage is low compared to men’s and they are more reliant on the lower non-contributory state pension. Reforms link pension amounts more closely to participation in paid employment, disadvantaging women who are more likely to leave paid employment for unpaid care-work. State pension age has increased quickly though the population is relatively young. For private sector workers, retirement age is typically 65, leaving a gap between retirement age and state pension age, currently 66 increasing to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028.