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State Pensions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022

Thursday, 10 February 2022

Questions (348)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

348. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full review of contributions paid or credited to a person (details supplied) can be undertaken to ascertain whether they qualify for a State pension (contributory); if the combination of paid contributions and social welfare payments will be taken into consideration in order to allow them to qualify for the contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7320/22]

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Written answers

The person concerned will reach pension age on 26 February 2022. They applied for State pension (contributory) on 15 November 2021.

Social welfare legislation stipulates that a minimum of 520 full-rate paid contributions are required to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). Credits cannot be used to satisfy this condition. 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 513 paid full-rate social insurance contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory). They were notified in writing of this decision on 6 January 2022, and provided with a copy of the social insurance record on which their pension decision was based.

If the person concerned considers they have additional contributions from employment that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence of the missing periods of employment to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed. Awarded credits are only included in the calculation of a person’s pension entitlement once the minimum requirement of 520 full-rate paid contributions is satisfied.

The person concerned may wish to consider applying for the State pension (non-contributory). I have arranged for the relevant application form to issue to them. This 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 as applicable). 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.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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