State Pensions available in Ireland
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
There are a range of state pensions available in Ireland. Different qualification criteria are used for each of the schemes.
State Pension qualification criteria may relate to:
The full eligibility requirements are laid out on the main pages for each pension. The details given on this page are summaries and exceptions may apply.
If you meet the qualification criteria for more than one type of state pension payment, you should apply for each of those schemes. Once assessed, the State Pension scheme with the highest rate of payment will be awarded to you.
The State Pension (Contributory) is a PRSI based payment made to people from age 66. It is not a means-tested payment. A person can receive payment of State Pension (Contributory) and continue to work or have other income such as an occupational pension.
To qualify, you must:
The State Pension (Non-contributory) is a means-tested payment and may be available to you if you don't qualify for a contributory pension based on your PRSI contribution record or if you only qualify for a reduced rate of the State Pension (Contributory).
To qualify, you must:
The Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension may be available to you if your spouse or civil partner has passed away and you or your deceased spouse or civil partner have enough PRSI contributions.
To qualify, you must:
The Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension is a means-tested payment and may be available to you if you don't qualify for a Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension.
To qualify, you must:
The Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds is a payment for people aged 65 who have ceased employment or self-employment and who satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions. Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds may be paid from the date of your 65th birthday until the date of your 66th birthday as long as you continue to satisfy the conditions for this payment.
To qualify, you must:
If you do not meet the qualification criteria for a state pension payment, or qualify for a reduced rate of state pension, it may be more beneficial for your spouse or civil partner to make an application for an Increase for a Qualified Adult payment.
Your social welfare payment is made up of a weekly amount for yourself, called the personal rate.
You may also get an extra amount for your adult dependant called an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA). An adult dependant is usually your spouse or civil partner.
In order to qualify, your adult dependant must not be in receipt of a social welfare payment in his or her own right (exceptions apply), and must satisfy a means assessment.
If you qualify for an increase in your state pension payment for an adult dependant it will be paid directly to you as part of your main payment. However, if you both consent, you can have the Increase for a Qualified Adult paid directly to your adult dependant.
If you are living in Ireland and want to claim an EU pension from another EEA country, more information on how to apply is available on the Claiming an EU Pension page.
If you are a returning Irish emigrant and have a private pension in another country, Revenue will allow you to transfer it to Ireland if you meet certain conditions.
More information about these conditions and how to apply is available on the Transfer of Private Pensions to Ireland for returning Irish Emigrants page.
When you reach the state pension age of 66 in Ireland, there are certain social welfare benefits that you may be entitled to. You may get some of these benefits before you are 66, but you must satisfy the conditions of the relevant scheme. These benefits include social welfare payments and increases to social welfare payments.
The Free Travel Scheme allows you to travel, free of charge, on all public transport owned by the State. It is available to everyone aged 66 or over and legally living permanently in the State.
It is also available to some people under 66 who meet the qualifying conditions.
The Household Benefits Package helps with the cost of your electricity or gas bills and covers the full amount of your television licence. It is available to people aged 70 or over and legally living permanently in the State.
It is also available to some people under 70 who meet the qualifying conditions.
The Fuel Allowance is a payment to help with the cost of heating your home during the winter months. It is available to people aged 70 or over and legally living permanently in the State, but you must satisfy a means test before you can qualify.
It is also available to some people under 70 who meet the qualifying conditions.
The Living Alone Increase is an extra payment if you are getting a social welfare payment and are living alone. It is available to all people aged 66 or over, living alone and getting a State pension.
It is also available to some people under 66 who meet the qualifying conditions.
The Telephone Support Allowance is a weekly payment that is automatically paid to you if you live alone and are getting a State pension, the Living Alone Allowance and the Fuel Allowance.
It is not available to people aged under 66 because you must be getting a State pension to qualify.
The Increase for Living on a Specified Island is available if you are 66 or over, getting a State pension from Ireland or another EU country and live on an island off the coast of Ireland.
It is also available to some people under 66 who meet the qualifying conditions.
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