Liam Aylward
Ceist:264 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person who satisfies the conditions for contributory old age pension can retain his EU farm retirement pension on reaching 66 years of age. [18100/99]
Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
It is a condition of this scheme that if the transferor, or any of the persons who were jointly involved in the management of the agricultural holding at the time of application, qualifies for a national retirement pension – which must be applied for on reaching 66 years of age – then the EU early retirement from farming pension will be reduced by the amount of the national pension.
Therefore, participants who satisfy the conditions to qualify for a contributory old age pension may retain their EU farm retirement pension on reaching 66 years of age, but it will be reduced by the total amount paid to them from their national retirement pension.