Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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627. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has been included in the review of pension entitlements for persons who were affected by changes in 2012 to the State pension (contributory) scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43422/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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A minimum of 520 full-rate paid contributions is required to qualify for the standard state pension (contributory). In late September 2018, my Department began examining the social insurance records of over 90,000 pensioners, born on or after 1 September 1946, who had a reduced rate State pension contributory entitlement based on post Budget 2012 rate-bands under a 'Total Contributions Approach'. 

The person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 24 September 2019 and was assessed as having 371 full-rate paid social insurance contributions.  As their contributions fall short of the 520 paid contributions required to qualify for State pension (contributory), the person’s claim was disallowed and they were notified in writing of this decision on 5 October 2019.  The claim was not reviewed under the  'Total Contributions Approach' as the legislative condition of having a minimum of 520 paid contributions was not met.

The person concerned is currently the beneficiary of the maximum rate Increase for qualified adult (IQA) on their spouse’s pension. The option also remains for the person concerned to apply for state pension (non-contributory).  This is a means-tested payment, based on the person's share of household means. The maximum rate payable equates to 95% of the maximum rate of state pension (contributory). 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.