Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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398. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will confirm whether Class S PRSI contributions have been included in the calculation of a constituent’s State contributory pension (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4012/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 05 January 2025. An application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 08 January 2025.

In general, public servants who joined prior to 6 April 1995 paid modified contributions (B) which are not reckonable for the standard state pension (contributory). However, such employees generally have an occupational pension, the level of which is related to a number of factors, including years of service.

To be eligible for the standard state pension (contributory) an individual must have at least 520 full-rate contributions. To qualify for a mixed insurance pension, 520 employment contributions are required, of which at least 260 must be full-rate contributions with the remainder made up of modified contributions.

Based on their contribution record, the person concerned was entitled to 82.92% of the maximum rate of state pension (contributory), €239.90 per week. A decision letter issued on 23 January 2025.

Following a review of entitlement an additional 45 credited contributions were awarded for 2024 which increased entitlement to 83.24% of the maximum rate, €240.80 per week. The person concerned was advised in writing on 29 January 2024.

As the civil or public service employment is considered a person’s main employment, the modified contributions (B) take precedence over the self-employed contributions (S) where they are both paid in the same year e.g. for the tax year 1995(April 6) – 1996(April 5) the person concerned had both 52 B and 52 S contributions. The 52 B contributions were used in the calculation for this year.

I have arranged for a copy of the social insurance record of the person concerned to issue. If they consider that there are additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384.

Where a person qualifies for less than the maximum rate of state pension (contributory), it is open to them to apply for one of the following:

• The means-tested state pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment (based on their share of household means) with a maximum payment of 95% of the State pension (contributory); or
• An increase for a qualified adult (based on their own means), amounting up to 90% of a full rate state Pension (contributory) pension where their spouse has a contributory pension.