Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
418. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in receipt of the State pension (non-contributory) that have had their pensions withdrawn because of their means in each of the years for 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40944/26]
View answerState Pension Non-Contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over who are habitually resident in the State and who either do not qualify for a state Pension Contributory or qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
As part of the means-testing process, applicants are required at the initial claim stage — and throughout the duration of their claim — to provide full and up-to-date information on all sources of income, savings, investments, and assets held by them and, where relevant, by their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant.
Once awarded, recipients are legally obliged to notify my Department of any change in their circumstances that may affect their ongoing entitlement. This obligation is clearly communicated at the point of award, during periodic claim reviews, and through regular “change of circumstances” notifications issued by my Department.
While many claims are stopped each year due to death, movement to another scheme, or voluntary notification that the qualifying conditions are no longer met, some claims are terminated because the person’s means exceed the statutory limit for the scheme.
The table below outlines the number of state pension non-contributory claims since 2023 that were categorised as stopped due to the person’s means exceeding the statutory limit.
|
SPNC |
Number of claims closed due to means exceed |
|
to end Apr 2026 |
84 |
|
2025 |
305 |
|
2024 |
232 |
|
2023 |
179 |
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
