Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
518. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the estimated cost of paying a supplementary pension until a uniformed employee reaches the State pension age of 66; given members can retire after 40 years of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11918/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of all new appointees from 6 April 1995 accrue a public service occupational pension which is integrated with the social welfare system. That is, all such employees pay Class A PRSI and the associated State Pension (Contributory) (SPC) is taken into account in the calculation of the occupational pension for public service retirees. In pre-existing public service schemes (non Single Scheme), where an individual does not qualify for the SPC, or qualifies at less than the maximum rate, pre-existing public service schemes the scheme rules provide for the payment of may pay an Occupational Supplementary Pension (OSP), subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria, to bring the person’s overall pension up to the level of benefit that would be received if the individual had an occupational pension that was not integrated with the SPC.
The current maximum rate of the SPC is €299.30 per week.
The following is a list of benefits taken into account when calculating one’s entitlement to an OSP:
Benefit Payment for 65 Year-Olds
Illness Benefit
Invalidity Pension
Jobseekers Benefit
Jobseekers Benefit (Self-Employed)
State Pension (Contributory)
