Age Cymru calls for fulfilled lives and a decent income for older people

Age Cymru launches its priorities for the General Election today by highlighting the growing numbers of older people in Wales who are struggling financially.

Pensioner poverty is on the rise in Wales - 112,500 pensioners now live below the poverty line and both single and pensioner couples in Wales have the lowest average incomes the UK. At only £7,000 a year on average, the State Pension forms the bulk of most older people's retirement income, yet is worth only around half of the National Living Wage.

Given these figures, Age Cymru believes that the UK Government needs to ensure that older people can live a fulfilled life with a decent income.

Ian Thomas, Chief Executive Age Cymru said, "For many older people in Wales, managing on a state pension is a struggle and they are often faced with making stark choices about how to spend their money. It is worth remembering that state pensions in the UK remain lower than in most similar countries."

As part of Age Cymru's Vision for the next UK Parliament, the charity is calling for the next Government to ensure older people in Wales have

1. A decent income
2. A fulfilled life
3. Dignity and human rights