In order to qualify for the maximum rate of the old age contributory pension a person must, among other qualifying conditions, achieve a yearly average of at least 48 contributions paid or credited on their social insurance record. Reduced pensions are paid to those with yearly averages as low as ten contributions and arrangements are also in place for the payment of pro-rata pensions to those with mixed rate insurance records or contributions from different countries. Reduced rate or pro-rata pensions are paid at a fixed percentage of the full rate payment and in order to ensure that the differential between the various rates is maintained, budget increases are also applied on a pro-rata basis. For instance, a person receiving a payment of 50% of the maximum rate receives 50% of any budget increase applied to the full rate pension. Applying the full budgetary increase to those with reduced payments would erode the differentials which exist and which are intended to reflect the level of contribution which a person has made to the social insurance fund. It would also mean that those on reduced rate pensions would, on an ongoing basis, benefit disproportionately from budget increases.