Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
19. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she and her Department remain sensitive to any issues arising from the availability of an adequate pension where applicants are factually deemed not to be unable to continue in employment and may not qualify for an appropriate pension on whatever grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50593/22]
View answerThe State Pension (Contributory) is a PRSI-based pension, financed by contributions made by current workers and their employers, and paid to pensioners, at a rate based upon their PRSI record.
A person is required to have a minimum of 520 paid reckonable PRSI contributions in order to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory). As the actuarial value of the State Pension is currently estimated at approximately €380,000, it is reasonable to require people claiming a contributory pension to have made at least 10 years of paid contributions over the term of their working life, before qualifying for a payment. The requirement for eligibility criteria in order to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory) was endorsed by the Commission on Pensions.
It should be noted that, if a person does not satisfy the conditionality to qualify for a contributory State Pension, he or she may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the rate of the State Pension (Contributory).
Alternatively, an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) is paid, generally, where a pensioner has an adult dependent who does not have enough contributions to claim a maximum rate contributory State Pension his or her own right. The payment rate for the IQA is up to 90% of a full contributory pension. The most advantageous payment for a pensioner will depend upon their individual circumstances
In September, I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in response to the recommendations from the Commission on Pensions. The set of measures represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.
One of the key measures is the introduction of a flexible pension system in Ireland. Under this new system, from January 2024, people will still be able to retire at 66 and draw-down their pension in exactly the same way as they can today. In addition, there will be new flexibility so that people can choose to defer their pension, work longer and receive a higher pension payment.
The flexible State Pension system is about providing people with choice. People will decide for themselves what best suits their needs and circumstances. For example, in the case of a person who reaches age 66 and does not have sufficient contributions to qualify for a full pension, they will now have the option to work for longer to build up additional entitlements. If a person has less than 10 years PRSI reckonable paid contributions, they can use this period to establish entitlement. A person will also have the option to continue working between age 66 and 70 and receive an actuarially based increase in their weekly payment rate.
In addition, I have also indicated my intention and secured Government approval to examine options to provide early access to a pension for a person with a long work history who cannot, for health reasons, remain in their current occupation. I expect to bring forward proposals on this matter in 2023.
In the meantime, people under the age of 66 who cannot work for health reasons can apply to avail of the Invalidity Pension and Disability Allowance schemes.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
