Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
117. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason members of the Defence Forces who retire after 2012 and who take up subsequent State employment have an abatement on their pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28221/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principle of abatement of a public service pension is longstanding within the rules of various public service pension schemes. The policy rationale is to avoid a situation where individuals benefit from both a valuable public service pension and also a public service salary. In that context, pension abatement represents a suitable and measured response to legitimate public concerns.
Section 52(1) to section 52(5) of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 (the Act) provides for pension abatement across the public service. In particular, section 52(1) provides for a reduction in the pension that has been awarded to a public service pensioner who has returned to employment in the public service so that the person concerned will not receive more in combined pension and salary payments than they would have received had they remained working.
As the Deputy may be aware, there is discretion under Section 52(4) of the Act, to grant a waiver of abatement. These waivers are generally granted only in exceptional circumstances and for a limited period of time. Each waiver application is assessed on its merits. One important consideration is the need to avoid creating an incentive for more experienced staff to retire on pension and return to the workforce.
