The Public Service Pension (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, which repealed the Pensions (Abatement) Act 1965, provides for the abatement of public sector pensions in instances where a public service pensioner is appointed to a public service position on or after 1 November 2012.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 24 of 2022 provides guidelines on the application of abatement of public service occupational pensions in accordance with the aforementioned Act and re confirmed the position on the calculation of abatement. These rules are applicable across the public sector including the education sector.
Abatement ensures that the pension(s) which the public service pensioner receives, when combined with the new/current remuneration, does not exceed the relevant former pensionable remuneration the retiree would have received had they continued to serve in their relevant former pensionable position.
Abatement is applied on a pro rata basis and applies to the public service pension only, i.e. not to the new salary.
The Deputy should note that Department of Education Circular 3 of 2021 relates to teachers working in the primary and post primary sector and is not relevant to the person concerned.
WWETB is responsible for the administration of pension schemes in respect of their employees/pensioners and for the application of rules regarding abatement. Officials from my Pension Unit have made contact with WWETB in respect of this matter and I understand that the ETB are reviewing this case. The person concerned should make contact with the ETB in this regard.
