Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

112. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will revise and reduce the total number of weekly PRSI contribution payments which must be paid to qualify for the widow-widowers and the surviving civil partner’s contributory pensions which has been increased from 156 to 520, and if not, the reasons for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39792/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To qualify for a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension, either the person claiming or their late spouse or civil partner must have a certain number of PRSI contributions. All the PRSI requirements must be met on one person's record - one may not combine the contributions of both spouses or civil partners. All must have been made before the death of the spouse or civil partner.The Deputy should note that from December 2013 new applicants for Widow's, Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension and Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension require 260paid PRSI contributions to qualify, an increase from the 156 contributions previously required. This change was one of a number of measures introduced in the pension system since the economic downturn, to ensure that the system was sustainable, while maintaining core rates of payment.Virtually all PRSI contributions count towards this pension, including contributions paid by public servants and the self-employed.

In order to qualify, either the person claiming or their spouse or civil partner must have:

- At least 260 paid contributions paid before the relevant date (which is either the date of the bereavement or the 66^thbirthday of one of the spouses, depending on the basis of qualification); and

- An average of 39 paid or credited contributions in either the 3 or 5 years before the death of the spouse or civil partner or before he or she reached pension age (66);

or

- A yearly average of at least 24 paid or credited contributions from the year of first entry into insurance until the year of death or reaching pension age. If this average is used then an average of 24 will entitle a person to a minimum payment, they will need an average of 48 per year to get the full pension.

Once a customer has qualified, the pension is paid as long as the person remains widowed (e.g. it is withdrawn if they re-marry), and is increased to the level of the State pension contributory at age 66. There is no means test, with the maximum rate payable regardless of other income.

The previous requirement of 156 paid contributions equated in real terms to three years attachment to work by either spouse or civil partner, and had been in place since 1953. This was not sustainable, particularly at a time when the qualifying condition for the State Pension contributory has increased to 520 paid contributions. In comparison, the previous qualifying conditions to Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension were very low, and it was decided to increase the contribution requirements to 260 paid contributions. There are no plans to reverse this decision.

In cases where someone becomes widowed and neither they nor their late spouse/ civil partner satisfy these conditions, but they have an income need, they may qualify for a means-tested non-contributory pension.