Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
340. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the difficulty caused by the 2012 changes to the contributory State pension rates of payment in view of the fact that the immediate change to the average bands drastically affected the pension eligibility of persons that were very close to pension age; his plans to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11976/17]
View answerThe overall concern in recent years has been to protect the value of weekly social welfare rates. Expenditure on pensions, at approximately €7 billion each year, is the largest block of expenditure in my Department in the Estimate for 2017, representing approximately 35% of overall expenditure. Due to demographic changes, my Department’s spending on older people is increasing by approximately €200m year on year. Maintaining the rate of the State pension and other payments is critical in protecting people from poverty.
There are three main pensions paid by my Department to people aged 66 and over, namely the State pension contributory (which is based on PRSI contributions), the State pension non-contributory (which is based on means), and the Widows/Widowers/Surviving Civil Partners Contributory pension (which is based on PRSI contributions, and is also payable at a lower rate before 66).
The State pension contributory (previously called the Old Age Contributory Pension) was introduced in 1961, and is funded by PRSI contributions, on a pay-as-you go basis. Since its introduction, the rates of payment has been based on the ‘yearly average’ test. These rates are banded, and those bands have been amended from time to time, most recently in 2012.
As provided for in Budget 2012, and announced in late 2011, new rate bands for State pension (contributory) were introduced from September 2012. This resulted in one of the bands (in respect of those with a yearly average of 20-47 contributions) being replaced with three bands (in respect of yearly averages of 40-47, 30-39, and 20-29 respectively). These additional bands more accurately reflect the social insurance history of a person and ensure that those who contribute more during a working life are likely to benefit more in retirement than those with lesser contributions.
It is estimated that the cost of reverting to the rate-bands which existed between 2000 and 2012 would be over €60 million in 2018, if introduced from January 2018, and that this annual cost would rise at a rate of some €10 million each year.
Prior to these changes, in the period from 2000-2012, someone with a yearly average of 47 contributions qualified for the same rate of payment (98% of the maximum rate) as someone with a yearly average of 20 contributions, despite generally their much more significant PRSI record, and this was regardless of their means. A person with an average of 48-52 PRSI contributions per year over their working life received a weekly State pension of only €4.50 more than someone with a yearly average of 20 PRSI contributions. Aside from the lack of equity involved, this was a significant disincentive to longer working, as in most cases, contributions paid by people in their sixties had no impact upon the rate of their State pension upon retirement.
Given the requirement to make savings in recent years, it was considered more equitable to address this disparity, than to reduce the rate of payment for all pensioners by an across the board cut in payment rates. Such a cut would have reduced the incomes of the most vulnerable pensioners, who do not receive such reduced rate contributory pensions, but rather receive a maximum rate non-contributory pension, or a maximum rate contributory pension if they have the required contributions.
For those with insufficient contributions to meet the requirements for a full rate State pension (contributory), they may qualify for a means tested State pension (non-contributory) which has a maximum personal rate of €222, or just over 95% of the maximum rate of the State pension (contributory). Alternatively, if a person’s spouse or civil partner is in receipt of a State pension (contributory) they may instead qualify for an Increase for a Qualified Adult of up to €209, which is just less than 90% of the maximum personal rate of the State pension (contributory). The latter payment is made directly to them, and is based upon their own means, and not their household means. An additional €5 increase in the weekly rates of payment for maximum rate social welfare pensions will come into force this week, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates of payment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
