Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2013
397. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any plans in place whereby individuals who are due to retire in 2014 can avail of some social welfare payment to bridge the gap between their retirement date and their 66th birthday now that the option of applying for the transition pension is no longer open to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19098/13]
View answerThe recently published OECD report on the Review of the Irish Pension System confirms that reforms are necessary if we are to continue to put pension provision on a sustainable footing given the changes in demographics, the deficit in the Social Insurance Fund, and the difficult fiscal situation. The standardisation of State pension age to 66 is one of the reform measures planned which aims to increase the sustainability of the Irish pension system and this was provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011. The State pension (transition) which applies for one year for persons of age 65 will cease from 1st January 2014 and thereafter, will increase to 67 in 2021and 68 in 2028. People who are affected by the upcoming changes may be able to remain in work until age 66 while others may be able to avail of a social welfare payment where there is an income need.
Existing legislation provides that, social welfare supports, such as job seekers benefits, will continue to be available to those who meet the qualifying conditions of the schemes available. Furthermore, the legislation also provides that for those whose job seekers benefit expires in their 65th year, the payment will continue to be paid up until the age of 66 when State pension becomes payable for those who satisfy the qualifying conditions. The State pension is the bedrock of the Irish pension system and these reforms are essential to address the challenges of increasing life expectancy and to ensure its sustainability
