andMr. Faulkner asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) who has been paying full-rate voluntary contributions to the Social Insurance Fund has now been informed by his Department that, on the removal of the £1,600 income limit, he will lose his entitlement to a contributory old age pension.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pension Entitlement.
93.
The person referred to in the Deputies' question ceased to be insurable as a voluntary contributor on the removal of the insurable income limit of £1,600 per annum on 1st April, 1974, when he became compulsorily insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. In reply to his recent inquiry he was so informed and also that he would qualify, on the basis of the contributions already paid by him between 1953 and March 1974, for a retirement pension at a reduced personal rate on reaching age 65 in 1986. He was not advised regarding his position in relation to contributory old age pension. He would also qualify for this pension as an alternative to the retirement pension, on reaching pensionable age on the basis of his existing insurance record. This pension would also be at a reduced personal rate.
94.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person who has paid full-rate voluntary contributions to the Social Insurance Fund is entitled to a contributory old age pension.
Subject to satisfying the contribution conditions for the pension, a person who has paid full rate voluntary contributions will qualify for a contributory old age pension on attainment of pensionable age. There are three contribution conditions, namely, the applicant must (1) have become insured before reaching age 60, (2) have at least 156 employment contributions paid, and (3) have a yearly average of at least 20 contributions paid or credited per contribution year from 1953—or from the commencement of the year in which he entered insurance if this is later than 1953 but before he reached age 60—up to the end of the last complete contribution year before he reaches pensionable age.
Voluntary contributions at the higher rate are reckonable towards satisfying the third condition.