Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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146. To ask the Minister for Defence the pension entitlements of retired members of the Defence Forces; and if retired members with 31 or 41 years' service receive the same pension as retired members with 21 years' service. [28198/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Pension entitlements for members of the Defence Forces are based on various factors such as: date of joining the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), pensionable pay, retiring rank and period of pensionable service. Also, different arrangements apply to members who join the PDF: (a) On or after 1 January 2013, (b) On or after 1 April 2004 but before 1 January 2013; or (c) Before 1 April 2004.

Pension entitlements are generally related to length of service; therefore retired members with 31 or 41 years service will in general receive more in pension than those with 21 years service.

I am not in a position to give a more detailed reply without having more specific information. However, it may be that the Deputy’s question relates to certain arrangements for enlisted personnel who joined before 1 April 2004 where the Defence Forces Pensions Schemes provide for payment of an ‘additional increment’ over and above the basic 21-year pension. This is paid for each additional year of service above 21 years, to a maximum of 31 years. This additional element ceases to be payable when an individual reaches social welfare State Pension age. This arrangement is based on the long established principle of integrating occupational pensions with Social Insurance benefits of employees who are fully insured for the range of benefits under the Social Welfare Acts. The principle is not unique to the Defence Forces and is used across the public and private sectors.

If further information is required, the Deputy can contact my office and I will arrange to have it provided.