Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2015
231. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons who have had their pension entitlements over-calculated by PeoplePoint; the options open to pensioners who because of a miscalculation of their pension entitlement have received a demand for repayment of part of their lump sum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3756/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeoplePoint is the HR and Pensions Administration Shared Service for the Civil Service. It was established in March 2013 and currently provides services to employees across 21 Civil Service organisations. Once all remaining inscope organisations transition, PeoplePoint will provide services across 38 organisations.
PeoplePoint began calculating retirement benefits and instructing the Pay Master General (PMG) in the Department of Finance to make pension payments on 15 April 2013. Since then, PeoplePoint has processed more than 3,000 retirement cases.
When setting up a pension benefit for a scheme member, new information can come to light occasionally after the retirement date, e.g. additional periods of service that requires confirmation. Rather than delay a pension payment leaving a retiring scheme member without any income, it is standard practice to set up the pension benefit based on the information known at the time, and revise the benefits as soon as possible thereafter. This can result in a benefit increase or decrease, depending on the nature of what has been confirmed. Since 15 April 2013, 38 cases of retirement benefits have been revised.
In these exceptional cases where retirement benefits need to be revised, PeoplePoint works directly with the retiree to accommodate any reasonable repayment arrangement. Individuals who find themselves in this situation are asked to make contact immediately with Pensions@peoplepoint.ie or 076 107 1000.
