Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 January 2013
121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the old age pension/retirement pension entitlements on foot of Irish and UK contributions in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3539/13]
View answerIn order to qualify for a State pension (transition), an applicant must:
- have entered insurable employment before reaching age 55
- have at least 520 paid contribution weeks since entry into insurance
- satisfy the ‘yearly average’ test:
(for a maximum rate pension) have a yearly average of 48 paid and/or
credited contributions from 1979 to the end of the last complete tax year preceding
their 65th birthday, or
- have a yearly average of at least 24 paid and/or credited contributions recorded from 1953 or from their date of entry into insurable employment
(whichever is the later) to the end of the tax year preceding their 65th birthday (an average of 48 or more is required for a maximum rate pension).
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has a total of 371 full-rate Irish contributions, which is less than the minimum requirement of 520. His application for State pension (transition) was disallowed accordingly. A notification of this decision issued to the person concerned on 25th October 2012.
The entitlement of the person concerned to a pro-rata State pension (transition) under EU regulations is now being examined. His UK social insurance record has been requested from the UK Pension Service. When this is received, his pension application will be re-examined and he will be notified of the outcome without delay.
