Men’s pensions are more than a third higher than women’s in Ireland according to new research from the ESRI.

The study finds that, in 2010, Irish men were pulling in an average of €433 in pensions – while women were receiving an average of €280.

It marks a gender pension gap of 35%.

Pension gap

It notes that the gap is because significantly more men are receiving private pensions in addition to their State pensions.

Meanwhile, some 93% of men who are receiving private pensions have worked for more than 30 years – compared to only 33% of women.

The study finds that 3% of pensionable men have never worked compared to 22% of women.

There is no gap among people receiving the State pension.

Employment levels

ESRI spokesperson Adele Whelan said: “A complex mix of factors shape the working lives of women and men – such as personal desires, household decision-making processes, social conditions and public policies.

“In order to reduce the pension gender gap, policymakers need to consider measures to raise female employments levels, reduce the differences in occupational and private pension coverage across genders, ensure increased continuity in employment and adequately protect against care-related interruptions.

“Policies concerning the provision of increased and more affordable childcare and long-term care services can also play a role to increase female employment levels and ensure increased continuity in employment.”

Poverty

The ESRI study found that 8.6% of people over the age of 65 were living in poverty in 2017.

That is significantly lower than the 16.2% of working-age people and 18.4% of children living in poverty.

The study, funded by the Pensions Council, drew on data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) for 2010.