In order to provide for sustainable pensions and to facilitate a longer working life, the Government decided to increase State pension age in three separate stages. This decision to reform State pension was taken in the context of changing demographics and increasing longevity. In 2014, State pension transition will cease and the State pension age will be standardised at 66. This will be increased to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028.
The Deputy may wish to note that significant numbers of people are on social welfare schemes well in advance of State pension age. For example, in 2012, 11,130 people were awarded SPT and of these, 12.5% (1,390) came from employment with 50% (5,635) coming from another social welfare payment including illness related schemes, indicating that quite a number of number of people are already in the social welfare system in advance of State pension age.
In relation to those who are already retired through early retirement schemes or through redundancy in advance of State pension age, social welfare schemes are payable up to State pension age. Each application for any social welfare scheme is assessed on its own merit in terms of qualifying criteria and contribution history. Where a person fails to meet the qualifying conditions of an insurance based scheme, the means tested assistance payment may be available provided they satisfy the qualifying conditions including a means test.
The main social welfare payments available to those who leave employment before pension age are jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance. Persons who qualify for a jobseeker's payment who are aged between 65 and 66 years are generally entitled to receive payment up to the date on which they reach pensionable age (66 years). With the changes to State pension, social welfare support will continue to be available and targeted at those most in need.
