Latest news with #KeithButler
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Revealed: Vast majority of public supports long-delayed new mandatory pension scheme
The new auto-enrolment pension, called My Future Fund, is due to begin from January after more than two decades of promises to launch such a scheme. Now a survey has found that over eight in 10 Irish adults believe it is fair to automatically sign workers up for the new pension scheme. The findings came in a survey of 1,000 adults nationwide by Ask Acorn, a national network of financial intermediaries. Under auto-enrolment, workers aged between 23 and 60 who earn more than €20,000 and are not already in an occupational pension scheme would automatically be enrolled in the new pension plan. These workers will have the option to opt out after six months. However, the research suggests they are unlikely to do so. Almost nine in 10 of those eligible for auto-enrolment say they are likely to remain in the pension scheme once enrolled. Financial experts said the findings showed a strong appetite for the scheme and signalled a positive shift towards broader pension coverage. But Ask Acorn experts warned that this could lead some workers to a false sense of financial security. Ask Acorn CEO Keith Butler said: 'People who may have previously been putting off pension planning could see their auto-enrolment as a 'job done' moment, when in fact the scheme might not be the most suitable or sufficient option for their individual retirement needs.' Last week, Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary launched a national awareness campaign for My Future Fund. Mr Butler said the Government should be encouraged by the feedback from the research. ADVERTISEMENT 'Even more important than the fact that so many support the fairness of the auto-enrolment itself is the fact that so many of those eligible plan to remain in the scheme,' he said. 'If nothing else, these results should be viewed by those with responsibility for the rollout as a compelling reason to ensure there are no further delays.' The rollout of the scheme has been subjected to repeated delays over the last two decades. Mr Butler said My Future Fund would be a good fit for many, especially those who have not yet thought seriously about pensions. 'But for others, particularly those with different income levels, career paths or retirement goals, auto-enrolment could fall short of delivering the retirement they're expecting. 'Workers should absolutely be proactive in taking some advice to determine whether auto-enrolment is truly the right vehicle for their needs, or whether the rollout is just the prompt they need to take action around their financial plans for the future.' The survey, conducted by iReach, found that four in 10 Irish adults believe it is 'very fair' that workers would be automatically enrolled to the pension scheme. A further four in 10 described it as 'somewhat fair'. One in six feel the compulsory enrolment of workers to the scheme is either 'somewhat' or 'very' unfair. The youngest age cohort surveyed are the most likely to feel it is 'very unfair' to automatically sign workers up to the scheme. Mr Butler said the findings indicated there was an obvious demand and need for the scheme. One-third of Irish workers have no pension coverage outside the state pension.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Broad public support for a mandatory pension scheme
The new auto-enrolment pension, called My Future Fund, is due to begin from January after more than two decades of promises to launch such a scheme. Now a survey has found that more than eight in 10 Irish adults believe it is fair to automatically sign workers up for the new pension scheme. The findings came in a survey of 1,000 adults nationwide by Ask Acorn, a nationwide network of financial intermediaries. Under auto-enrolment, workers aged between 23 and 60 who earn more than €20,000 and are not already in an occupational pension scheme would automatically be enrolled in the new pension plan. These workers will have the option to opt out after six months. However, the research suggests they are unlikely to do so. Almost nine in 10 of those eligible for auto-enrolment say they are likely to remain in the pension scheme once enrolled. Financial experts said the findings showed a strong appetite for the scheme and signalled a positive shift toward broader pension coverage But Ask Acorn experts warned that this could lead some workers to a false sense of financial security. Chief executive of Ask Acorn Keith Butler said: 'People who may have previously been putting off pension planning could see their auto-enrolment as a 'job done' moment, when in fact the scheme might not be the most suitable or sufficient option for their individual retirement needs.'
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Revealed: How vast majority of public supports long-delayed new mandatory pension scheme
The new auto-enrolment pension, called My Future Fund, is due to begin from January after more than two decades of promises to launch such a scheme. Now a survey has found that over eight in 10 Irish adults believe it is fair to automatically sign workers up for the new pension scheme. The findings came in a survey of 1,000 adults nationwide by Ask Acorn, a national network of financial intermediaries. Under auto-enrolment, workers aged between 23 and 60 who earn more than €20,000 and are not already in an occupational pension scheme would automatically be enrolled in the new pension plan. These workers will have the option to opt out after six months. However, the research suggests they are unlikely to do so. Almost nine in 10 of those eligible for auto-enrolment say they are likely to remain in the pension scheme once enrolled. Financial experts said the findings showed a strong appetite for the scheme and signalled a positive shift towards broader pension coverage. But Ask Acorn experts warned that this could lead some workers to a false sense of financial security. Ask Acorn CEO Keith Butler said: 'People who may have previously been putting off pension planning could see their auto-enrolment as a 'job done' moment, when in fact the scheme might not be the most suitable or sufficient option for their individual retirement needs.' Last week, Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary launched a national awareness campaign for My Future Fund. Mr Butler said the Government should be encouraged by the feedback from the research. ADVERTISEMENT 'Even more important than the fact that so many support the fairness of the auto-enrolment itself is the fact that so many of those eligible plan to remain in the scheme,' he said. 'If nothing else, these results should be viewed by those with responsibility for the rollout as a compelling reason to ensure there are no further delays.' The rollout of the scheme has been subjected to repeated delays over the last two decades. Mr Butler said My Future Fund would be a good fit for many, especially those who have not yet thought seriously about pensions. 'But for others, particularly those with different income levels, career paths or retirement goals, auto-enrolment could fall short of delivering the retirement they're expecting. 'Workers should absolutely be proactive in taking some advice to determine whether auto-enrolment is truly the right vehicle for their needs, or whether the rollout is just the prompt they need to take action around their financial plans for the future.' The survey, conducted by iReach, found that four in 10 Irish adults believe it is 'very fair' that workers would be automatically enrolled to the pension scheme. A further four in 10 described it as 'somewhat fair'. One in six feel the compulsory enrolment of workers to the scheme is either 'somewhat' or 'very' unfair. The youngest age cohort surveyed are the most likely to feel it is 'very unfair' to automatically sign workers up to the scheme. Mr Butler said the findings indicated there was an obvious demand and need for the scheme. One-third of Irish workers have no pension coverage outside the state pension.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Most workers eligible for auto-enrolment predicted to stay in scheme
Almost nine in 10 (87%) people eligible for pension auto-enrolment (AE) say they will stay in the scheme when it begins, new research suggests. A survey of more than 1,000 adults found strong support for the upcoming scheme, with more than eight in ten (84%) Irish adults believing it is fair to automatically sign workers up for the pension scheme. Some 87% of those surveyed who will be eligible for AE saying they are likely to remain in the pension scheme once enrolled. Under AE, workers aged between 23 and 60 who earn more than €20,000 and are not already in an occupational pension scheme will automatically be enrolled in AE. These workers will have the option to opt out after six months. On the other side of the spectrum, one in six respondents (16%) felt the compulsory enrolment of workers to the scheme is either 'somewhat' or 'very' unfair. The youngest age cohort surveyed (18–24-year-olds) are the most likely to feel it is 'very unfair' to automatically sign workers up to AE, with 10% of this age group expressing this opinion, compared to only 2% of 25–34-year-olds, 3% of those aged 55+, and 4% of 35–44 and 45–54-year-olds. Women are slightly more likely than men to consider it fair that workers be automatically enrolled in AE (86% versus 82%). The research was carried out on behalf of financial intermediary firm Ask Acorn. "Even more important than the fact that so many support the fairness of the auto-enrolment itself is the fact that so many of those eligible plan to remain in the scheme. If nothing else, these results should be viewed by those with responsibility for the rollout as a compelling reason to ensure there are no further delays," said Ask Acorn chief executive Keith Butler. One third of Irish workers have no pension coverage outside the State pension, and more than half (53%) of the workers who don't have a company pension scheme are in that position because their employer does not offer one. 'The statistics speak to a very obvious demand and need for the scheme," said Mr Butler. "There will be some people who are not happy with the scheme and who want to engage. But the numbers are relatively small. If nothing else, the rollout of the scheme might prompt people to take action themselves by setting up their own private pension." Mr Butler noted that AE was originally planned to begin in January 2024. "It is important the Government rolls out AE soon and that it does it right. Auto-enrolment has real potential to address the country's pension coverage gap. However, it is important that the AE start date, which was recently pushed back from September30, 2025 to January 1, 2026, is not delayed again."
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Whiteman Air Force Base receives prestigious award
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE — The home of the B-2 bomber is being recognized with an award for its commitment to national security. The U.S. Strategic Command honored Whiteman Air Force Base on Monday with the Omaha trophy for their hard work in 2024. KC firefighter's death highlights rise in violence against health care workers nationwide There are four categories for the award. The 509th Bomb Wing received the Omaha Trophy for Excellence in Strategic Execution. Col. Keith Butler is commander of the 509th Bomb Wing and Whiteman Air Force Base. He said the committee highlighted a few reasons why they were awarded this trophy, including a combat mission last fall in Yemen, as well as a bomber task force deployment. 'This is where we take, they take a couple of different bombers, whether they're B-1s, B-2s or B-52s, and send them off to different parts around the world,' Butler said. 'To ensured hat both our allies can be assured of our nations nuclear umbrella our ability to do strategic engagement and to work on the inner ability to showcase that partnership.' The U.S. Strategic Command consultation committee helps make the decision each year. FOX4 is told the Omaha Trophy is the highest distinction awarded to a nuclear-enterprise unit by a civilian organization. They say it recognizes units that demonstrate 'exceptional performance in global strategic deterrence.' Looking ahead to keeping this trophy next year, Butler said they're currently in another deployment to Diego Garcia. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri He said it's the largest B2 deployment in the history of the program, more than 30 years. 'All the folks that are out there are handling the tasking that has been placed before us, are doing it with professionalism, with competence and again with confidence,' he added. 'So I think we've got a running start for 2025.' FOX4 is told the last time Whiteman Air Force Base received the Omaha Trophy was in 2018. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
