Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
564. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused an application under the new benefit payment for 65-year-olds; the options available to them at this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12020/21]
View answerIt was a key commitment in the Programme for Government that 65 year olds who are required to or choose to retire early can receive an early retirement payment at the same rate as jobseekers benefit without a requirement to sign on, partake in any activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work.
The Benefit Payment for 65 year Olds which was recently introduced fulfils this commitment.
The new payment is not designed to be a full State Pension; it is designed specifically to bridge the gap for people who retire at 65 but who don’t qualify for the State Pension until age 66.
Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds may be paid from the date of a person's 65th birthday until the date of their 66th birthday as long as they continue to satisfy the conditions for the payment.
The person concerned has signed for Jobseekers Credits since 19/04/2017 to date . The person concerned made an application for Benefit Payment for 65 year olds on 09/02/2021. This application was disallowed on 22/02/2021 on the grounds that the person concerned had insufficient paid contributions. One of the qualifying conditions for the payment is that a person must have 13 paid contributions in 2021, 2020 , 2019, 2018 or 2017. The person concerned last paid a PRSI contribution in 2016 so therefore does not satisfy one of the conditions for receipt of this payment. The person concerned can continue with their Jobseekers Credits claim or if they wish they can make an application for Jobseekers Allowance which is a means tested payment.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
