Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 June 2014
97. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection in respect of the State pension transition that a person must have at least a yearly average of 24 contributions, the previous yearly average that existed prior to this change; when that change was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27471/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provides that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This began in January 2014 with the abolition of the State pension (transition) available at 65, thereby standardising State pension age for all at 66 years. Claims to the State pension (transition) are therefore made in respect of people who turned 65 before 1 January 2014.
The State pension (transition) was introduced in 1970 when it was known as the retirement pension. It was designed to bridge the gap between the standard social welfare pension age, which at that time was 70 years of age, and retirement age. Over time, the age for State pension (contributory) was reduced to 66 years. When the retirement pension was introduced, the minimum yearly average of contributions paid or credited required was 26. This was reduced to 24 contributions from 5 October 1972, and this was the minimum record required for people who are currently in receipt of the payment.
