asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the conditions under which a person who is in receipt of a sum which exceeds the statutory salary maximum, but who has formerly been a contributor, may become a voluntary contributor under the Social Welfare Act, 1952, and if he will state the benefits which accrue to such contributors.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Act: Voluntary Contributors.
A person who ceases to be an employed contributor otherwise than by reason of attaining 70 years of age and in respect of whom not less than 156 employment contributions have been paid under the Social Welfare Acts is entitled to become a voluntary contributor.
The prescribed period for making application is within 12 months after the end of the contribution year during which employment ceased to be insurable or such longer period as the Minister, having regard to the circumstances of the particular case, may allow.
A person desiring to become a voluntary contributor must elect to pay voluntary contributions as from the week next following the week in which he ceased to be an employed contributor.
The rate of contribution was 1/6 a week up to 3rd September, 1956, and is 2/- a week as from that date.
Voluntary contributions are reckoned only in relation to the grant of a widow's (contributory) pension and orphan's (contributory) allowance.