Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2011
233 Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the date on which the retirement age for old age pensions will be increased; and the age a person would have to be at 2011 before this change would affect them. [32448/11]
View answerState pension (transition) is currently paid to people aged 65 who have a minimum yearly average of 24 social insurance contributions and who have retired from work. Currently it ceases at age 66 when the claimant transfers to State pension (contributory). As a result of legislation introduced this year, the State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This will begin on 1 January 2014 with the abolition of State pension (transition) and the standardisation of State pension age at 66. This means that anyone who reaches age 65 on or after 1 January 2014 will not receive State pension (transition). Accordingly, anyone aged 62 in 2011 or later will be affected by the increase in pension age. State pension age will be increased to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 in 2028. It is worth noting that, until the early 1970s, the qualifying age for State pension (contributory) was 70 years of age. By gradually increasing the qualifying age for State pension, people will be further encouraged to remain in employment beyond 65 years of age.
