Pension Provisions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Questions (366)

John Browne

Question:

366. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a member of the non-established State employees scheme who will be 64 years of age in December, and who has total reckonable service of 18 years and 310 days spread over several periods in various Government Departments, is eligible to claim preserved pension benefit in advance of age 65 under the actuarially reduced benefit scheme; the method of application whether now or at age 65; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41301/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The minimum age at which a pension is payable in the Pension Scheme for Non-Established State Employees is 65 years.  A person may resign their post prior to their 65th birthday and preserve their accrued pension benefits until they attain the age of 65 years. Alternatively members of the Non-Established State Employees Superannuation Scheme, prior to resigning/retiring, may apply to avail of what is termed Cost Neutral Early Retirement (CNER) once they have attained the age of at least 55 years. 

Applications for CNER cannot be made once the person has left their employment. Staff opting for cost neutral early retirement need also to be aware  that the actuarially reduced rate applies throughout the lifetime of the payment of the pension (subject to future adjustments in line with public service pensions policy).   More information in respect of the Cost Neutral Early Retirement Scheme can be found at http://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/finance/2005/10.pdf.

Details of the pension payable to the individual may be obtained by the individual, on request, to his or her own Human Resources section.