Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 September 2019
651. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be included in the upcoming pensions review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37538/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn late September 2018, my Department began examining the social insurance records of over 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.
The person concerned applied for and was awarded a reduced rate State pension (contributory) in 2015. As their spouse was already in receipt of an increase for qualified adult for them at a higher rate, their state pension (contributory) claim was withdrawn.
The person has been reviewed using information already held by the Department in relation to their HomeCaring Periods. The person has a total of 904 reckonable paid contributions which combined with the maximum permissible number of combined HomeCaring periods and reckonable credits of 1,040, (as set out in legislation) results in a rate of 93.46% of the maximum rate of pension.
The person has been transferred to their own state pension (contributory) pension, as their own entitlement now exceeds their previous qualified adult increase rate.
A review outcome letter has issued to the person, outlining details of their increase and includes a breakdown of their social insurance contribution record. Arrears of payment, backdated to 30 March 2018, will issue shortly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
