Written answers

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

State Pensions

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1205. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe in which a person applying for a State pension should expect to hear back once they have submitted the necessary documents. [20856/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department is committed to ensuring that State pension (contributory) claims are processed as expeditiously as possible. The operational target for State pension (contributory) claims is to have 90% of timely applications awarded (where qualified) by entitlement date, currently the applicant's 66th birthday.

The State Pension Contributory Section in my Department processes pension applications in order of pension age, rather than date of receipt. This ensures that, where possible, applicants will receive a decision in respect of their State pension (contributory) by date of entitlement.

According to the records of my Department, some 94% of customers were informed of the outcome of their pension application by date of entitlement. According to the latest figures available at end-March 2021, the average processing time achieved is 5 weeks.

Processing of pension claims depends on the individual nature of applicants’ circumstances. It is also dependent on the completeness of applications received and the availability of the required information. Further investigation may be required before notification of decision where the applicant has been self-employed, where they have been in public sector employment or where they may have social insurance recorded in another country.

If the Deputy has a particular case which he wishes to enquire about, an update on their claim can be provided directly to the person concerned, based on their social insurance record and individual circumstances.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1206. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the options available to a person who has applied for a State pension prior to their 66th birthday but failed to hear back before the birthday and now is unable to work up extra contributions to make up a shortfall in entitlements. [20857/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under current eligibility conditions, applicants must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment over a person’s working life. Calculation of an applicant’s entitlement to State pension (contributory) is based on their social insurance record from their date of entry into insurable employment until pension age, currently 66 years.

If the person concerned considers that they hold additional information which may impact on their pension eligibility, they should submit the details without delay to enable my Department to have the matter investigated and to inform them directly of the options available to them based on their individual social insurance record and circumstances.

For those who do not qualify for the State pension (contributory), there are other state pension payments available, depending on an individual’s circumstances. State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested, residency-based payment for persons of pension age, based on the applicant's share of assessable household means. The maximum rate payable equates to 95% of the maximum rate of state pension (contributory).

If the person’s spouse has a State pension (contributory), the person may qualify for an Increase for qualified adult (IQA) payable with their spouse’s pension (means-tested on their own means). The rate of IQA payable may amount to 90% of the maximum State pension (contributory), depending on the rate of State pension (contributory) in payment to the person’s spouse and the person’s own means, solely or jointly held.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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