John Bruton
Question:55 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare his views on the recommendations of the Second Commission on the Status of Women that the old aged pension should be paid direct to each spouse.
Written Answers. - Commission's Recommendation.
In its commentary on the recommendation that pension payments should be paid to each spouse, the Commission on the Status of Women states that a woman who is older than her husband must wait for him to qualify for the old age assistance pension before she qualifies for a payment. Under the scheme, married women can in fact qualify for the old age assistance pension in their own right once they reach the age of 66, subject to a means test.
Where both spouses satisfy the qualification conditions, payment is made directly to each spouse separately.
Under the old age contributory pension, entitlement to a payment is based on an individual's PRSI contributions record. Where both spouses have established an entitlement to the contributory pension, payment is again made directly to each spouse.