One-third of pensioners cannot afford a basic standard of living, a study by Active Retirement Ireland has found.

The research also found 94% feel the State pension should rise in line with inflation and wage growth.

Over half of respondents said they are worried about their future, while 58% of pensioners said the State pension is not enough to allow them to participate in life as much as they would like.

Spme 39% of respondents said a €12 increase in the State pension last year did not cover their expenses.

Active Retirement Ireland CEO, Maureen Kavanagh, told Breakfast Briefing many cannot afford any extra or unexpected costs.

"What our members are saying is that nearly 30% said they couldn't afford a basic standard of living," she said.

"That is that when they went shopping, they had to be very, very careful and watch everything that they were purchasing.

"Heating: that they were really, really concerned about running the heating.

"This isn't a cohort that can say, 'During the summer months I'll be OK' - for a lot of older people, they need to maintain a certain level of heat within their homes.

"Just being able to afford something nice in their shopping, or maybe go out for a cup of coffee, get out [and] make social connections to be able to afford those things".

An older woman holding a hot water bottle, sitting near gas fire that's turned off. Picture by: A.J.D. Foto Ltd. / Alamy Stock Photo

Ms Kavanagh said the issue was exacerbated for those in rural areas.

"A lot of our members who live in rural Ireland, where transport is not as accessible, found that the upkeep of their car massively ate into their State pension just to keep the car on the road," she said.

'Is this what we want for Ireland?'

Ms Kavanagh is calling on the Government to honour its commitment to pensioners.

"90% of our respondents felt that the State pension wasn't enough - that's the €265.30 a week - that's the max contributory State pension," she said.

"It should be set at the 34% of the average wage, which is what the Government promised in its roadmap for pension reform.

"That 34% would give an extra €53 a week to pensioners, bringing the pension to €318 a week".

"The State pension is the main income for 85% of our members; this is what they have on a weekly basis, this is what they rely on.

"Without knowing what that pension is going to be next year, it's very hard for people to plan something extra into their lives.

"Is this what we want for Ireland, to have people on the State pension struggling?"

Main image: Split-screen shows an elderly couple walking, and a pensioner counting money