The Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes provide for the payment of a special increment of £3.46 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 ceases to be payable when the soldier pensioner becomes entitled to a Social Welfare retirement pension (at age 65) or to a contributory old age pension at age 66. The personal rate of either social welfare pension is considerably greater than the maximum special increment. Exceptionally, the increment continues to be payable up to 70 years of age in the case of a pensioner who was discharged prior to 1 August, 1978, provided he is not in receipt of a Social Welfare retirement pension.
The withdrawal of the special increment 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. Soldiers are so insured. 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.
