Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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690. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position of persons on a transition pension prior to the changes being introduced in 2013 in respect of eligibility for the State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9811/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The State pension (transition) (SPT) was introduced in 1970 when it was known as the retirement pension and was designed to bridge the gap between the standard social welfare pension age, which at that time was 70 years of age, and retirement age. Over time, the age for State pension (contributory) was reduced to 66 years. The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provided that State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This began in January 2014 with the abolition of the SPT available from 65 for those who satisfied the qualifying conditions, thereby standardising State pension age for all at 66 years, which is the current State pension age. This will increase to 67 in 2021 and to 68 in 2028.

Recipients of the State pension (transition) were automatically transferred to the State Pension (contributory) when they reached their 66^thbirthday. The level of entitlement for both payments was calculated using the Yearly Average Contributions method.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.