Since late September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of approximately 90,000 pensioners, born on or after 1 September 1946, who have a reduced rate State pension contributory entitlement based on post Budget 2012 rate-bands. These payments are being reviewed under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation which includes provision for homecaring periods.
Reviews commenced from 13 February 2019, the day after I signed the necessary Regulations which, together with provisions in the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registrations Act 2018, allows the increased payments to be made. As at 4 July 2019, 77,193 reviews have been completed. Of these, 42% pensioners received an increase in their rate of payment and 58% are remaining on their existing rate of payment.
The detailed breakdown requested by the Deputy is not readily available, however based on an analysis of sample of cases where an increase was awarded, the best estimate at this stage is that 51% of those who received an increase received a weekly increase in excess of €20.00.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.