Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

893. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will qualify for the benefit payment if they retire at the age of 65 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1272/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds was introduced in line with the Programme for Government commitment to address the position of people who are required to or choose to retire at age 65 before the pension age of 66.  The payment is provided for under the Jobseeker’s Benefit or the Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) legislation as appropriate and a person must satisfy the qualifying conditions for these schemes, including the relevant PRSI social insurance requirements, in order to qualify for support.  

There are a number of options available for people on retirement regarding their Additional Voluntary Contributions including the transfer of the fund to an Approved Retirement Fund.  An Approved Retirement Fund does not impact a person's entitlement to the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds scheme where they would qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit having previously been in insurable employment.  Based on the information provided to the Department, the person referred to by the Deputy is in insurable employment.

I have recently signed a Regulation to provide that self-employed contributors who have lost their usual self-employed occupation, and who are in receipt of an Approved Retirement Fund, may also be eligible for Jobseekers Benefit (Self-Employed) in certain circumstances, including people at age 65 years who are applying for the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds.

Where a person does not qualify for the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds they may be eligible for support under the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme subject to satisfying the qualifying conditions of that scheme.

In order to ascertain whether the person concerned would qualify for Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds they should contact their local Intreo Centre and outline their specific circumstances so that their position can be examined.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.