Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022
318. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will conduct a comprehensive review of a pension entitlement for a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is currently in receipt of a reduced contributory pension; if she will examine their entitlement to homemaker credits for the years when their children were born; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13602/22]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 26 April 2020. An application for State pension (contributory) was received from them on 24 April 2020.
Since April 2019, all new State (Contributory) Pension applications are assessed under all possible rate calculation methods, including the Yearly Average and the interim Total Contributions Approach, with the most beneficial rate paid to the pensioner.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned was initially assessed as having a total of 1,654 qualifying paid and credited social insurance contributions from their date of entry into insurable employment in 1974 to 2020. This gave them a yearly average of 36 contributions and entitlement to 90% of the full rate State pension (contributory).
They were subsequently awarded a 2 year disregard for homemaking and an additional 104 contributions for the years 1995 and 2015, giving them a total of 1,758 qualifying paid and credited social insurance contributions and a yearly average of 39 contributions. This however did not change the rate of payment.
Their entitlement using the Total Contributions Approach was also assessed. This gave them an entitlement to 84.53% of the full rate State pension (contributory) which is less than the rate currently in payment to them.
The person concerned was informed in writing of the initial decision on 09 June 2020 and the updated decisions on 19 June 2020 and 02 February 2021. They were also informed on 12 March 2021 that their self-employment record was checked with Revenue and it was confirmed that no further contributions were due. They also appealed their case and the appeal was disallowed on 12/01/2022.
They are currently in receipt of the most financially beneficial rate of State pension (contributory) commensurate with their social insurance record. However, If they consider that they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to my Department and their pension entitlement can be reviewed. I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
