Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Jun 1999

Vol. 507 No. 3

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

Richard Bruton

Question:

194 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if all retired teachers, pensioners and widows on bereavement will be presented with a full statement of their standing and entitlements within the pension scheme. [16883/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Superannuation benefits of retired teachers and the dependants of deceased teachers are calculated in accordance with the teachers superannuation schemes. There are no specific rates of pension. Each individual pension is determined not only by reference to the teachers pay at retirement but also by reference to the length of the teachers pensionable service.

Each teacher who retires on pension and each widow-widower who is awarded a pension following the death of a serving teacher or a pensioned teacher, when being awarded pension, is given particulars of the award in writing. Thereafter the payslip, which issues with each pension payment, shows the gross and net monthly pension, deductions for income tax, PRSI and voluntary deductions. In addition, any pensioner who requests additional details on his or her pension is provided with this information either by phone or in writing.

Requests for additional information are few in number. However, following correspondence from the Retired Teachers Association, my Department is now providing teachers who retire from May 1999 with more detailed information regarding the make-up of their pensions. This more detailed information will enable teachers to confirm that their pension has been correctly calculated and to confirm that subsequent increases in the salary and allowances of serving teachers are correctly reflected in the pensions of retired teachers.

My Department will, as before, supply such information, on request, to existing pensioners.