Michael Lowry
Question:56 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Defence whether the pensions of former members of the Defence Forces can be reduced if they are in receipt of a social welfare payment.
Written Answers. - Defence Force Pensions.
Under the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes, a soldier's pension consists of: (a) a basic pension in respect of 21 years' qualifying service; and (b) an additional increment of £3.15 a week in respect of each year of qualifying service in excess of 21 years but not exceeding 31 years.
The basic pension is paid to the pensioner during his lifetime. As a general rule, the additional increment continues to be payable until the pensioner becomes entitled to a social welfare retirement pension, at age 65, or to a contributory old age pension, at age 66, at which stage the additional increment is withdrawn. As a special concession, the additional increment continues to be payable up to 70 years of age in the case of a pensioner discharged prior to 1 August 1978, provided he is not in receipt of a social welfare retirement pension.
This is the only instance in which payment of a pension under the Defence Forces (Pensions) Scheme is affected by a social welfare payment.