Written answers
Wednesday, 1 March 2017
Department of Social Protection
State Pension (Contributory) Data
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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216. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who qualified for and received a full State pension in each of the past five years, that is, had 48 average contributions; the number of persons who received a reduced rate in each of the past five years, that is, had less than 48 average contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10589/17]
Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The following table shows the number of persons who were awarded maximum rate state pension (contributory) based on a yearly average of 48 or more contributions, and the number awarded reduced rate based on a yearly average of less than 48, in each of the past five years.
Year | No. of max rate awards | No. of reduced rate awards | Total |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | 14,768 | 13,401 | 28,169 |
2015 | 14,456 | 12,915 | 27,371 |
2014 | 14,323 | 13,470 | 27,793 |
2013 | 14,303 | 13,076 | 27,379 |
2012 | 13,573 | 12,921 | 26,494 |
To be eligible for a state pension (contributory) at age 66, an applicant must:
- have entered insurable employment before attaining the age of 56 years;
- have at least 520 paid contribution weeks since entry into insurance, from employment or self-employment;
- (for a maximum rate pension) have a yearly average of 48 paid and/or credited contributions from 1979, or from their date of entry into insurable employment, to the end of the last complete tax year preceding their 66th birthday; or
- (for a reduced rate pension) have a yearly average of at least 10 paid and/or credited contributions recorded from 1953, or from the applicant’s date of entry into insurable employment (whichever is the later), to the end of the tax year preceding their 66th birthday.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
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