Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 October 2024
121. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection how a person (details supplied) who has a retirement pension from the HSE (Mercy Hospital, Cork) after 40 years' employment as a nurse and who is presently still working, can enhance their pension entitlement; if their current employment is of any benefit in that regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40339/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 25 May 2024. An application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 21 February 2024.
In general, public servants who joined prior to 6 April 1995 paid modified contributions which are not reckonable for the standard state pension (contributory). However, such employees generally have an occupational pension, the level of which is related to a number of factors, including years of service.
To be eligible for the standard state pension (contributory) an individual must have at least 520 full-rate contributions. To qualify for a mixed insurance pension, 520 employment contributions are required, of which at least 260 must be full-rate contributions with the remainder made up of modified contributions.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 316 full-rate contributions. As this falls short of the requisite 520 full-rate contributions for the standard State pension (contributory), their entitlement to a mixed insurance pension was examined. The person concerned has a total of 316 full-rate contributions, 120 full rate credits, 2,008 modified contributions and 14 modified credits from 1976 to 2024. This gave entitlement to a mixed insurance pension at the currently weekly rate of €49.20.
Where a person qualifies for less than the maximum rate of state pension (contributory), it is open to them to apply for one of the following:
• The means-tested state pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment (based on their share of household means) with a maximum payment of 95% of the State pension (contributory); or
• An increase for a qualified adult (based on their own means), amounting up to 90% of a full rate state Pension (contributory) pension where their spouse has a contributory pension.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
