Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2019
1078. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if self-employment contributions from 2013 to 2018 will be accepted for contributory pension purposes for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44988/19]
View answerSocial welfare legislation provides for the use of S Class contributions from self-employment in a person’s 66th year (up to their 66th birthday) to satisfy the ‘minimum 520 paid contributions’ condition for State pension (contributory) eligibility.
The person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 22 July 2013. They did not have the required 520 full-rate contributions to qualify for this pension. They were notified accordingly in writing on 2 September 2013.
As the person concerned reached 66 on 8 July 2013, any self-employment contributions after that date are not included in assessment of pension entitlement.
It is open to the person concerned to apply for the State pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested, residency-based payment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
