The pension levy

Sir, – Having contributed, along with my past employer, to a pension scheme, it is now really riling to see this savings pot being raided repeatedly at the behest of individuals who are accruing several State pensions, and all this with little or no fuss.

The excuse that the original contributions were tax exempt does not hold water as the pension, what’s left of it, will be fully taxable on the way out (and now subject to USC as well). It would really make one consider the advisability of keeping any savings onshore because, having got away with this, attacking deposits next can’t be too far away. What has happened to the “grey army”? Why no protests? This was brought in as an emergency measure but, as there has been very little hissing by the goose, the Minister continues to pluck. – Yours, etc,

MICHAEL McCARTHY,

Fenagh, Co Carlow.