According to the ESRI, women's pensions are up to a third lower than those of retired men.

In 2010, the average man's pension was €433 per week, but it was just €280 for a woman, a gender pension gap of 35%.

Subsequent 2016 data showed the average EU gender pensions gap at 38%, but 26% in Ireland, meaning women's pensions were still significantly lower.

Joining Ivan on the Hard Shoulder was Sinead Ryan, the show's expert on the Consumer Corner, host of ‘The Home Show’, and a member of the Pensions Council, who commissioned this research.