Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 October 2018
205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the contributions registered to a person (details supplied) as a basis for calculation of their State pension of which they receive a reduced amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41706/18]
View answerThe person concerned is in receipt of a reduced rate state pension (contributory) with effect from their 66th birthday, based on an assessed yearly average of 36 contributions, covering their working life from June 1968 to December 2017.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a social insurance record of 1,850 reckonable contributions and credits and is in receipt of the correct rate of contributory pension based on this social insurance record. Their record shows no contributions for the tax years 1973/74 to 1982/1983 and 1986/87, together with other incomplete years. These gaps affect the person's yearly average and, consequently, their rate of weekly pension entitlement. The person was notified in writing of their pension award on 28 May 2018. Attached to that letter was a copy of the social insurance contribution record relied upon by the Deciding Officer when making their decision. If the person concerned considers they have additional unrecorded contributions, they should provide details of missing periods of employment to my Department to have the matter investigated.
The Deputy will be aware that in January this year, the Government announced its intention to re-examine pension entitlements of those born on or after 1st September 1946, who qualified for state pension (contributory) on or after 1st September 2012, and were awarded a rate of pension based on the post 2012 rate band changes. At the end of October, my Department will be writing to the pensioners concerned to let them know how the process of review will work. There is no need for pensioners, or anyone on their behalf, to contact my Department about this. Once the necessary enabling legislation is enacted and the required systems and processes are ready, my Department will again make direct contact with the pensioners concerned about their individual reviews.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
