Vol. 557 No. 1
449 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to circumstances where retired people were encouraged to invest retirement lump sums in the names of both husband and wife for the purposes individualisation, with the result that the sum is assessed as part of a spouse's income, thus excluding an individual from a dependant spouse's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21418/02]
My Department does not provide advice to individuals to facilitate investment management or tax planning. In the case of social insurance payments all claimants, regardless of their marital status, household situation or means, receive the personal rate of payment once they satisfy the relevant contribution conditions. However, the payment of a qualified adult allowance, is subject to the condition that the claimant is wholly or mainly maintaining his or her spouse or partner.
Regulations provide for the tapered withdrawal of the qualified adult allowance – QAA – for claimants of certain social welfare payments where the spouse or partner of the claimant has income assessed between €88.88 and €196.81 per week. QAA is not payable where the assessed income of the spouse or partner exceeds €196.81 per week. The relevant social welfare payments include retirement pension and old age contributory pension.
