State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2017

Tuesday, 30 May 2017

Questions (287)

Sean Fleming

Question:

287. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who is entitled to the full state contributory pension in the United Kingdom is entitled as a result of this to the full contributory State pension here at the Irish rate; the arrangements in place in cases in which the UK pension is lower for a top-up payment to be made to Irish persons to bring them up to the Irish contributory pension level; the position regarding persons in the opposite position that are entitled to a full Irish pension but are now resident in the UK and apply for a contributory pension there; if there is a clawback between the two jurisdictions to pay the UK level pension in the UK; if there is a refund mechanism back to the government regarding these cases in view of the fact that a higher pension is payable here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25562/17]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The rate of state pension (contributory) pension entitlement payable to a person is directly related to contributions paid or credited over their working life. Similarly, pension entitlement payable from the UK authorities is based on the person’s UK social insurance record. The pension payments are not interchangeable.

Where there is a shortfall in contributions for entitlement to an Irish full rate state pension (contributory) pension, or where a person in receipt of UK pension is living in the State, they can apply for a state pension (non-contributory) pension, which is a means tested payment.

There are no automatic pension top-ups or rebalancing of pension payment entitlement rates when a person moves from one country to another.

A person who fulfils the qualifying criteria for an Irish State pension (contributory) may be paid this pension regardless of residence. The qualifying condition for an additional UK pension is a matter for the UK pension Authority. It may be the case that a person satisfies the qualifying conditions for insurance based state pensions from Ireland and the UK and is entitled to receive a pension from both countries simultaneously.

There is no mechanism for refunding or matching pension entitlements from each jurisdiction and no inter-Member State adjustment where an applicant meets the insurance based eligibility conditions under both national legislations.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.