Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In September 2022, I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system. The measures were in response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations and represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.

One of the measures announced is the introduction of flexibility to the State Pension (Contributory), allowing a person to defer access to their State Pension (Contributory) up to the age of 70 and receive an actuarially based increase in their weekly payment rate.

A person with less than 40 years contributions can use the period between 66 and 70 years of age to build up additional entitlements and, if a person has less than 10 years PRSI reckonable paid contributions, they may be able to use this period to establish entitlement.

During the period of deferral, certain short-term working payments have been made available for stated contingencies, such as Jobseekers Benefit, Illness Benefit, Working Family Payment, Injury Benefit, Child Benefit, Adoptive, Parents, Paternity and Maternity Benefits.

As the State Pension age remains at 66 years, a person can still draw their State Pension (Contributory) at State Pension age.

The legislation to give effect to these changes was recently enacted and applies to those who reach State Pension age (66) on or after 1st January 2024.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.