President Mary McAleese is not only an excellent head of state and ambassador for the country – today she’s been voted Ireland’s favourite mother in a nationwide survey conducted by Hibernian Life & Pensions*.
President Mary McAleese is not only an excellent head of state and ambassador for the country – today she’s been voted Ireland’s favourite mother in a nationwide survey conducted by Hibernian Life & Pensions*.
The President, known as ‘mum’ to her three children, topped the poll, beating mother of four and anti-Sellafield campaigner Ali Hewson (aka Mrs Bono) to second place and mother of two and athlete Sonia O’Sullivan to third place.
The survey was part of a year long series of research initiatives from Hibernian in an effort to highlight the lack of pension provision among Irish people, particularly women. In the run up to the launch of Hibernian’s Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) pension product early next month the survey focused on Mother’s Day to highlight the fact that although our most high profile mothers may have plenty of financial resources to fall back upon when they retire, most Irish mothers have made no provision for their retirement.
Ian Veitch, Marketing and Product Development Director at Hibernian Life & Pensions, said: “President McAleese will have a substantial presidential pension to rely on when she retires, Ali Hewson and Sonia O’Sullivan are also financially comfortable, but the same cannot be said for most Irish mothers. There is a significant gap in pension coverage for women in Ireland today”.
Hibernian’s research also highlighted that 57% of the Irish population have no form of pension provision and will be relying on the meagre state pension. This figure rises to 62% when women are surveyed alone.
Ian Veitch said: “We are using the opportunity of Mother’s Day to highlight the lack of pension provision in Ireland and to encourage all mothers where possible to save for their retirement. PRSAs are designed to be personal, portable and flexible (contribution amounts can be varied). Contributions are also eligible for tax relief. It is the ideal pension product for women who may take time off work to have and raise children, or for those who may opt to work part time following the birth of a child”.
Hibernian recently received approval from the Pension’s Board to provide PRSAs in the Irish market and is launching its products next month.
-ends-
*Fieldwork for research undertaken by Hibernian Life & Pensions carried out during March and August 2002 and March 2003 by Behaviour & Attitudes.
Press contact: Kela O’Riordan, 01 617 8164, 086 606 8842, kela.oriordan@hibernian.ie
Notes to editors:
- Hibernian is part of the Aviva plc the fifth largest insurance group in Europe, and seventh globally (based on gross worldwide premia)
- Hibernian is Ireland’s largest composite insurer, ranked first for general insurance and top five for life and pensions
- A photograph is available by ISDN
- Hibernian news releases are also available on www.hibernian.ie