John Brady
Ceist:75. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the supplementary pension for public servants works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48639/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 16 November 2017
Ceisteanna (75)
Freagraí scríofa
In 1995, as a public service pension reform measure, it was agreed that all future entrants to the public service would pay full PRSI and be eligible for a Contributory State Pension as a part of their overall pension entitlement.
As a consequence, occupational pensions for those recruited between 1995 and 2012 are made up of an occupational pension payment plus Contributory State Pension (where payable) such that the maximum total pension available with full service is half salary at retirement, i.e. the same as pre-1995 recruits. This limit applies whether the pension is integrated with the State pension or not.
Where a post-1995 recruit retires before the State Pension age of 66, their occupational pension is calculated to take account of social welfare benefits payable, so that when those benefits are payable, in full or in part, they are no worse off than a comparative pre-1995 recruit. Where this parity does not arise their occupational pension is modified through a supplementary adjustment, taking account of social welfare benefits payable, so they are no worse off than a comparative pre-1995 recruit. A public service pensioner may only qualify for a supplementary pension if they are not engaged in paid employment, do not qualify for social insurance benefit or fail to qualify for such benefit at less than the maximum rate, and their failure to qualify is due to causes outside their control.
In a further pension reform measure, the Single Public Service Pension Scheme which applies to all new entrants since 1 January, 2013, does not make provision for such supplementary adjustments.