Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 December 2022
257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has not been able to obtain a full contributory State pension; the way this can be addressed in the context of their circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62981/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 09 May 2019. According to the records of my department an application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 12 July 2022.
The person concerned has a total of 694 reckonable paid and credited social insurance contributions from 14 September 1970 to the end of December 2018. This equates to a yearly average of 14 contributions giving an entitlement to 40% of the State Pension (contributory) rate of payment. This is the correct rate commensurate with the social insurance record as held by my Department.
To qualify for State Pension (contributory) at the maximum rate, the person concerned would need a yearly average of at least 48 contributions. Contributions paid after a person’s 66th birthday are not currently reckonable for pension purposes.
The claim was reviewed on 17 August 2022 with no change to the rate of payment. If the person in question considers that additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed.
The person concerned has appealed the decision and this appeal has been submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Officer on 02 November 2022.
It is also open to them to apply for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). I have arranged for a State Pension non-contributory application form to issue to them.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
