Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2009
184 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason, in order to qualify for the contributory State pension, a person must have started to pay social insurance before the age of 56 years even if they are in a position to meet the contributions requirements between the age of 56 years and retirement age. [45097/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to qualify for a state pension (contributory), there are a number of minimum qualifying conditions that must be met. A person must have a minimum of 260 paid social insurance contributions, a yearly average of at least 10 contributions paid or credited since entry into social insurance, and must have entered social insurance at least 10 years before state pension age. From 6 April 2012, a minimum of 520 paid contributions will be required.
These conditions have been designed to ensure that those qualifying for payment have an adequate and sustained history of contributions to the social insurance fund over their working lives.
