Patrick O'Donovan
Question:238 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36628/12]
View answerThursday, 19 July 2012
Questions (238)
Written answers
Public servants serving before April 2004 are generally not "new entrants" under the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and most have a compulsory retirement age of 65. Other than certain uniformed groups, public servants recruited since then do not have a compulsory retirement age. Public servants may retire earlier than this age, for example, on medical grounds, on cost-neutral (or actuarially reduced) grounds or on attaining the pension age (that is the age at which one may retire and immediately receive a pension) for their public service occupation. The pension age for many public servants is age 60.
For the majority of public servants who are fully insured for social insurance purposes, the occupational benefit is integrated with the State Pension (Contributory), that is, the occupational public service pensions of fully insured public servants reflect that the person and the public service employer pay social insurance contributions which will usually qualify the person for the State Pension (Contributory).
Where the retiring public servant does not receive the State Pension (Contributory), a supplementary pension may be payable under the particular public service pension scheme to bridge the gap; for example, where an unemployed former public servant of pension age, due to causes outside of his or her control, does not have an entitlement to social welfare benefits or qualifies at less than the maximum personal rate. Concerned individuals should address any enquiries on this to their employing body.
Question No. 239 withdrawn.