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State Pensions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Ceisteanna (565)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

565. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will qualify for a pension through their own contributions or through those of their spouse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23335/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The spouse of the person concerned is receiving the maximum rate Increase for Qualified Adult allowance on their State Pension (contributory) since 15th February 2018. The rate of the increase is €227.00 which equates to just under 90% of the maximum personal rate payable for State Pension (contributory).

The person concerned reached pension age on 23 February 2016. No application has been received for State Pension (contributory). They applied for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory) in 2017 and were informed that it was financially more beneficial to claim the increase for Qualified Adult on their spouses Unemployment Benefit.

Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. According to the records of my Department the person concerned has a total of 0 full-rate contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory).

If the person concerned considers they have contributions from employment that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence of the missing periods of employment to my Department along with a State Pension (contributory) application form and their pension entitlement will be examined. It also open to them to re-apply for the State Pension (contributory).

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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