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State Pension (Contributory)

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2020

Wednesday, 30 September 2020

Questions (164)

John McGuinness

Question:

164. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the record of contributions for pension purposes in the case of a person (details supplied); if they qualify for a contributory State pension; and if not, if they will be better off in receipt of a non-contributory pension in their own right or remaining on their spouse's claim. [27485/20]

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Written answers

The person concerned will reach pension age on 23 October 2020 and has not yet applied for State pension.  On receipt of a completed application, the person’s pension entitlement can be examined by a Deciding Officer and the person notified of the outcome.

I have arranged for a copy of the person’s social insurance contribution record to issue to them, together with application forms for State pension (contributory) and State pension (non–contributory).

Under current eligibility conditions an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory).  520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. Factors such as an individual’s social insurance record, their attachment to the workforce, and their countries of employment affect the rate of pension entitlement.  Depending on relevant social security agreements, employment records in other countries may be combined with an applicant's Irish employment record to achieve entitlement to a pro rata or proportional rate of pension entitlement.

State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested, residency-based payment for people of pension age.  Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the applicant (and spouse/civil partner/cohabitant).  Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments. 

If the person concerned applies for either of these pensions, their eligibility and rate of pension entitlement is determined based on the qualifying conditions for the respective schemes. Where an applicant qualifies for both pensions, they are paid whichever pension is more financially beneficial to them, as both schemes cannot be paid concurrently. 

It may be the case that the person concerned is better off to remain as a qualified adult on their spouse’s State pension (contributory).  The Increase for qualified adult payment will increase from the Friday following the person’s 66th birthday.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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