Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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94. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was never advised to apply for a pension (non-contributory) when awarded a reduced rate contributory pension on turning 66 years. [15576/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached state pension age on 11 June 2017.

An application for the state pension contributory and state pension (non-contributory) were received in my Department prior to the person reaching pension age.

Officials in my Department examined entitlement to both pensions. It was decided that the person concerned had an entitlement to the state pension (non-contributory) at the weekly rate of €52.00. As the mixed insurance state pension (contributory) was payable at a financially more beneficial weekly rate of €115.20, the person concerned was awarded this pension.

Following the Government Decision in 2018 to introduce a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to the calculation of State Pension (contributory), pensioners who reached pension age from September 2012 (i.e., those born on or after 1 September 1946) had their pension reviewed using this method of calculation.

The pension entitlement of the person concerned was reviewed. On 3 May 2019, they were notified that the rate payable had increased to €183.30 from 3 March 2018.

The spouse of the person concerned re-applied for an increase for a qualified adult in respect of the person concerned. This was awarded at the weekly rate of €248.60 from 1 December 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.