Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012
278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers retiring in the coming year at various schools throughout County Kildare, primary and post-primary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43383/12]
View answerMy Department has compiled detailed information on teacher retirements for the period 1 November 2011 to 29 February 2012. These are available on the Statistics page of my Department's website.
Teachers have a number of options regarding retirement (outlined below) and the standard procedure would be for the board of management as employer to be notified of a proposed retirement within the timeframe set down in the employment contract. The Pension Unit of my Department requests teachers to make application for retirement pension three months in advance of retirement date in order to facilitate a seamless transfer from salary to pension payment. Accordingly, statistical information is generally compiled at the end of the year.
Retirement options are as follows:
Generally teachers may retire voluntarily:
- at age 60 years;
- at age 55 years with at least 35 years of pensionable service - pension based on actual service;
- at age 50 years - cost-neutral early retirement with benefits actuarially reduced;
- preserved pension benefits at age 60 or 65.
There is also a process to facilitate retirement applications on medical grounds.
