397. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Social Protection with regard to the non-contributory State pension means assessment, the way in which a joint bank account is assessed in cases where the individuals in question are not married, civil partners or cohabiting. [66788/26]

The State Pension (Non-Contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and older who are habitually resident in the State and who do not qualify for a State Pension (Contributory), or who only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.

For the purposes of the means test for this payment, the value of any savings, investments or property , other than a person’s primary residence, is assessable as means. In the case of a couple, the savings and assets of a claimant and their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant are added together, and this total is halved in arriving at the amount attributable to the claimant.

The first €20,000 of the value of any savings or capital assets is disregarded. The next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per €1,000. The next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per €1,000. The balance (over €40,000) is assessed at €4 per €1,000.

Where assets, including joint bank accounts, are held jointly with a person who is not married to, in a civil partnership with, or co-habiting with the applicant, a Deciding Officer will seek to establish the portion of those assets that can reasonably be attributed to the applicant for means assessment purposes. Each arrangement is considered on an individual basis, having regard to the specific circumstances of the case.