Michael Healy-Rae
Question:339. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will address an anomaly in respect of teacher entitlements (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5780/25]
View answerTuesday, 18 February 2025
Questions (339)
Written answers
The pension benefits of teachers, as with all pensionable public servants, are governed by legislation and/or circulars and are paid in accordance with public sector pension policy.
Teachers who paid coordinated pension contributions (Class A) may be entitled to a supplementary pension in order to make up the shortfall in pension for the period between the date of retirement and the date of eligibility for the State Contributory Pension.
Prior to reaching state pension age an Occupational Supplementary Pension (OSP) is payable where the retiree:
• is retired and have reached minimum pension age, or retired on grounds of ill-health,
• is a member of a pre-existing public service pension scheme and the pension benefits payable in respect of such membership have been integrated with the social insurance system,
• is not engaged in full-time paid employment,
• is in receipt of an overall pension package (occupational pension and relevant benefits, where appropriate) that is less than the occupational pension which would have been payable, had the occupational pension not been integrated.
Where the individual is:
Below the State Pension age, they must
(i) not have claimed any social insurance benefit or
(ii) where a social insurance benefit has been claimed, have qualified for a benefit at less than the State Contributory Pension.
At or above the State Pension age, they must not qualify for relevant benefits, or fail to qualify for any relevant benefits at the maximum rate of the State Contributory Pension
•The individual’s failure to qualify must be due to causes outside of their control.
Occupational Supplementary Pension is equal to the difference between the full occupational pension (that is, the pension which would be payable if co-ordination had not applied), and the combined total of:
• the actual occupational pension payable and
• the personal rate of Social Welfare benefits payable
The payment of an OSP should not cease, or be refused completely, where a pensioner takes up part-time employment. It is appropriate to calculate the amount of OSP payable on a pro-rata basis.
Please see the link below for an information note on the Occupational Supplementary Pension
assets.gov.ie/95435/fc9c661d-5c97-4c6a-81b0-1326af9610a4.pdf
Please see the link below for OSP clarifications
assets.gov.ie/303759/0030ad5d-7c40-4a40-87b3-8615e4a88818.pdf
Please see below link to the Circular on OSP
www.gov.ie/en/circular/8c34a-circular-122024-arrangements-for-occupational-pensions-osp/.