A State pension (contributory) is payable to applicants, aged 66 years or over, who satisfy certain social insurance contribution conditions.
A person aged 65 years who has retired from insurable employment, and who satisfies certain qualifying conditions, may be eligible for a State pension (transition), where the person concerned:
has entered into insurable employment before reaching age 55,
has at least 260 weeks full-rate contributions paid (520 contributions minimum after 6th April 2012), and
has a yearly average of at least 48 paid and/or credited full-rate contributions from 1979 to the end of the tax year preceding their 65th birthday, or
has a yearly average of at least 24 paid/credited full-rate contributions from the date of their entry into insurable employment to the end of the tax year preceding their 65th birthday (to qualify for the maximum rate pension, a yearly average of 48 is required).
The person concerned has reached the age of eligibility for State pension (transition). A claim form has been sent to him. If he has retired from insurable employment, he should complete and return the form to the Department. On receipt of the completed claim form, his entitlement to pension will be fully examined and he will be notified of the outcome without delay.