Local OAPs get '˜less than UK average pension

The Pensioners’ Income Series Bulletin, Northern Ireland is produced annually and contains estimates of the levels and trends of pensioners’ incomes across Northern Ireland.

And, according to the report, released by the Department for Communities between 2013/14 and 2014/15 gross income for Newtownabbey OAPs increased in ‘real terms’ by £29.

Similarly, net income ‘Before Housing Costs’ (BHC) increased by 7% on average.

On average net income ‘After Housing Costs’ (AHC) increased by 8% (£343 to £369) between 2013/14 and 2014/15.

Again, viewed on average, gross income which is defined as the central measure of all income received by the ‘pensioner benefit unit’ has increased by £57 (15%) in real terms over the time period 2003/04 and 2014/15 (£387 to £444).

Over a three year average (2012-15) pensioner couples in Northern Ireland had the second lowest gross income across the four UK countries (£618), £70 lower than the UK average; the lowest gross income was in Wales (£551).

Single pensioners in Northern Ireland over a three year average (2012-15) had the lowest gross income across the four UK countries at £270, £54 lower than the UK average.

The most common source of income for pensioner units is state pension; with 98% of pensioner units claiming this.

Fifty-two per cent of pensioner units receive income from private pensions; 46% receive income from occupational pension income while only 8% have income from a personal pension.