Dinny McGinley
Ceist:17 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence the way in which the pension awarded to Chiefs of Staff of the Army and other service officers is calculated or determined.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Calculation of Pensions.
Superannuation benefits are granted to retiring officers of the Permanent Defence Force under the provisions of the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes, 1937 to 1989, made under the authority of the Defence Forces (Pensions) Acts, 1932 to 1975.
The schemes are a distinct superannuation code designed to cater for the special requirements of the Defence Forces and are quite different from the codes applicable in other areas of the public service.
Under the schemes, pensions for officers are not directly pay-related as such but rather are based on rank or appointment held on retirement, length of service in rank or appointment and overall length of service. Maximum pension can be attained well before an officer reaches normal retiring age and generally represents 50 per cent of the maximum pay for the rank in which the officer retires. In addition to pension, an officer retiring on age grounds or within two years of retiring age qualifies for a gratuity of one-and-a-half times his annual pay at retirement. Lesser gratuities are payable to officers with not less than five year's service.
Can I accept from the Minister that the pensions payable are governed entirely by regulations and that they are not in any way arbitrary or decided by any individual?
The Deputy can have that absolute assurance.