Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 5

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Pensions Scheme.

Patrick McCartan

Question:

33 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by ex-members of the Defence Forces whose increments payable under the Defence Forces (Pensions) Scheme are ended when they become entitled to a social welfare retirement pension, as this can result in a reduction of up to £114 per month in the income of the personnel concerned; if, in view of the very long service of many of those involved, he considers it appropriate that their incomes should be so severely cut at a time when financial pressures are often at their greatest; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Wilson)

The Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes provide for the payment of a special increment of £3.34 a week in addition to his basic pension to a soldier for each year of his pensionable service in excess of 21 years but not exceeding 31 years. As a general rule, this special 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 increment ceases to be payable. This is in accordance with the principle of co-ordinating occupational pensions in the public sector with social welfare pensions in the case of employees who are fully insured under the Social Welfare Acts.

The loss of the additional increment (amounting to a maximum of £33.40 a week if the pensioner had 31 or more year's pensionable service) is more than compensated for by the social welfare pension which stands at £66.60 a week for an individual, with an additional £42.40 a week for an adult dependant.

This matter was examined by the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces. The Commission did not recommend any change in the present arrangements.