Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the grounds upon which a person (details supplied) is receiving a reduced rate of the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31748/23]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 17 December 2021. An application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 24 October 2022.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 505 full-rate contributions which falls short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions.
As the person concerned was employed in the public sector, they were also considered for a mixed insurance pension. To qualify for a mixed insurance pension, 520 employment contributions are required, of which at least 260 must be full-rate employment contributions with the remainder made up of modified contributions. It was decided that the person concerned was entitled to a mixed insurance pension equivalent to 20.88% of the maximum pension rate. This is the correct rate of pension commensurate with their contribution history.
I have arranged for a copy of their insurance record to issue. If the person concerned considers that they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384 and their pension entitlement can be reviewed.
It is also open to the person concerned to apply for the means-tested state pension (non-contributory). The maximum rate equates to 95% of the maximum rate of state pension (contributory).
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
