Vol. 522 No. 2
328 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of people who are in receipt of contributory old age pension; the number of these who are still in employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18002/00]
There was a total of 78,627 people in receipt of an old age contributory pension at the end of May 2000. In addition, there were 78,937 recipients of a retirement pension.
Old age contributory pension and retirement pension are social insurance payments made to people reaching the age of 66 and 65 respectively. These pensions are not means tested and therefore entitlement is not affected by other income including income from employment. Accordingly, this Department does not hold data on the current employment status of recipients of these pensions. It should be noted that entitlement to retirement pension from the age of 65 is based on the claimant being retired from employment. This retirement condition no longer applies on reaching age 66.
