Seanad debates

Friday, 27 April 2012

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage

 

5:00 pm

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

This provision provides that people who within one, two or three years will be retiring and do not have the 520 contributions required, will be able to top up their contributions. Am I correct that only contributions made up to when the person reached 65 years will be reckonable and that a person will retire at age 65 years but will not be entitled to the pension until 66 years of age?

I am seeking clarity on whether contributions made up to when the person reaches 65 rather than 66 years will be reckonable and whether a person within, say, 18 months of retirement, who has not averaged out 100% in respect of the contributory pension, will be able to make up that shortfall. I am speaking about a person who has worked all his or her life but is, owing to this change, short on contributions.

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