Pensions, disability allowance and SAFE registration
The Minister for Social Protection outlined pension entitlement rules, confirmed a PSC would issue after SAFE registration, and then explained why a disability allowance application had been refused. The Chair cut off the exchanges as time expired.
Pension entitlement can only be assessed on the basis of the eligibility conditions applicable on the date an individual reaches State Pension age.
Currently, a person who has 2080 paid or credited contributions, or who has in excess of 520 contributions with a yearly average of 48 or more contributions since they entered the social insurance system, would qualify for the full rate State Pension (Contributory). A person who does not meet the requirements for a full rate pension may be paid a lower rate commensurate with their social insurance record where they exceed the minimum contribution threshold.
A person reaching pension age on or after 1st January 2024 can choose to defer access to the State Pension (Contributory) up to age 70 and receive a cost neutral actuarial increase in their State Pension payment. This system also provides for a person to continue to pay social insurance contributions after State Pension age to improve their social insurance record for State Pension (Contributory) purposes. These PRSI contributions may enable individuals without a full contribution record (and who have deferred access to the State Pension) to become entitled to the State Pension (Contributory), or increase the pension rate of payment, as a consequence of the additional paid contributions. These measures will become effective from January 2024.
As State Pension Contributory is not means-tested, a person can draw down their pension entitlement while continuing to work and this will not impact on their weekly rate or payment.
It is advisable that all contributors maintain their social insurance record as fully as possible over their working life. It is open to the person concerned to request a copy of their social insurance record from my Department. In addition to seeking the record through normal postal means from PRSI Records, Department of Social Protection, McCarter's Road, Ardaravan, Buncrana, Co. Donegal, a person can also access their social insurance record in real-time online at MyWelfare.ie if they have a verified MyGovID account. Information on getting a verified MyGovID account is available on www.mygovid.ie.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Comment on this
Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I can confirm that my Department originally received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned on 8 February 2023. 8 The application was examined and, based upon the evidence submitted, it was refused on 25 March 2023. It was refused as the client failed to supply the additional information requested on 13 February 2023.
This information was subsequently received by the Department and a review of the decision 25 March 2023 was carried out. Following this review, the person concerned was awarded DA with effect from 21 December 2022. The person concerned was notified in writing of this revised decision on 31 March 2023. The first payment was made by their chosen payment method on 19 April 2023.
I can confirm that arrears of payment due from 21 December 2022 to 18 April 2023 also issued to the person concerned on 24 April 2023. A letter notifying the person of this issued on 24 April 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.