Macra calls on Members to Consider Pension Options
19 October 2009
Macra na Feirme have again teamed-up with the Pensions Board to encourage the uptake of pensions among young people. Speaking at the National Ploughing championships where the new Pensions page onthe macra.ie website was launched, Macra na Feirme National President Michael Gowing encouraged all young people to plan for retirement and consider starting a pension.
Mr. Gowing said “pension’s awareness remains low in Ireland especially among the farming sector with 45% of those working in the agricultural sector having private pension provision, this signifies an increase of 10% from the previous year
“It is vital however, that young people not only in the farming sector think ahead and start a pension now, it is for this reason that 'Macra and the Pensions Board have joined forces to provide simple pensions information for Macra members on the Macra.ie website, this interactive page which also features a pensions calculator was being launched this week at the National ploughing championships.
Mr. Gowing says, ‘we believe young people receive information from numerous sources and may be unsure about the clear facts and advantages on pensions and it is for this reason we decided to team up with the Pensions Board to provide free independent information for young people the pensions page on the Macra.ie website offers people independent information and helps them to assess their situation and to better understand pensions and it points them in the right direction if they decide to start a pension’.
Maura Howe, the Project Manager for the National Pensions Awareness Campaign commented at the Ploughing Championships this week that 'The Ploughing Championship and Macra.ie are important opportunities to provide the agricultural sector with pension information and to remind particularly young people that although retirement may seem like a long way off it is important to plan for it well in advance. The Pensions Board welcomes the association with Macra na Feirme and is delighted to be involved with Macra.ie, a highly relevant site for young people involved in the agriculture and rural communities.'
