Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 1

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Retirement Scheme.

Paul McGrath

Question:

123 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if all retired Defence Forces personnel and the widows of Defence Force personnel who retired after 1978 were written to after 1985 when a further option was available to them to join the widows and children contributory pension scheme; if so, if they were again required to opt out of the scheme in writing on that occasion; and if they were deemed to have joined the scheme if they did not opt out in writing at that time. [19913/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Membership of the revised contributory pension scheme for spouses and children of deceased enlisted personnel, which was introduced in 1985, was compulsory in the case of personnel enlisting on or after 1 June 1985.

Personnel who were serving on and immediately before that date were given the option of joining the revised scheme. This option was given to pensioners who had retired since the introduction of the original scheme and to widows whose late husbands had opted out of the original scheme. Only persons who made a positive option in writing to join the revised scheme were admitted to membership.