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State Pension (Contributory)
From Department of Social Protection
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State Pension (Contributory) is a payment which you may qualify for at 66 years of age if you have enough Irish social insurance contributions.
This pension is based on your social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
The pension is:
- not means tested
- not affected by other income
- not affected by a pension from a previous employer
The age at which you can receive the State Pension (Contributory) is 66 years of age. You should apply if you have ever worked in Ireland and paid any social insurance contributions.
To qualify, you must have:
- entered insurable employment before you turn 56 years of age
AND
- paid at least 520 full-rate social insurance (PRSI) contributions since starting insurable employment OR paid at least 260 full-rate contributions if you turned 66 before 6 April 2012
You can continue to work full-time after you reach the qualifying age. This pension is taxable but you are unlikely to pay tax if it is your only income.
If you worked or lived abroad
If you have worked or lived in other countries, such as the UK, you might still qualify for a State Pension (Contributory), even if you do not qualify based on contributions paid in Ireland.
The department will work out your entitlement to state contributory pension from the date your first social insurance contribution was paid (the date you first entered insurable employment).
If you paid PRSI at a Full Rate, these are known as Class A contributions.
These contributions are counted as full-rate contributions for State Pension (Contributory) purposes.
Class A contributions were called Ordinary contributions before 1979.
The self-employed pay PRSI contributions at a Class S rate.
These contributions are full-rate contributions for State Pension (Contributory) purposes.
Social insurance (PRSI) contributions for self-employed people were introduced on 6 April 1988.
Working out your entitlements
If you started paying Class S contributions on 6 April 1988, the department may work out if you can get a State Pension based on your PRSI records from that date.
The department will do this if it works out better for you when calculating your entitlement and you meet the other conditions.
If you started paying Class S social insurance (PRSI) contributions after 6 April 1988, the department will work out your entitlement from the date your first contribution was paid (the date you first entered insurable employment).
You may get a proportion of a full pension (a pro rata pension) if you paid PRSI contributions in another country.
The country that you worked in must:
- be covered by EC Regulations
- OR have a two-way Social Security Agreement to satisfy the 520 (260) paid contributions requirement
If you live or plan to live outside the State, the department can pay your pension into your Irish account or in the country you choose to live in.
You can request a copy of your social insurance (PRSI) Contribution Statement online at MyWelfare.ie.
To access services on MyWelfare.ie, you will need a verified MyGovID account.
Once you meet the qualification criteria, the rate of payment you get depends on the number of PRSI contributions you have made.
You may qualify for a higher rate of payment if you spent time out of work due to:
- unemployment
- illness
- caring for children aged 12 or under
- caring for dependent relative or
- other eligible activities
Your payment is made up of a personal rate plus any increase or allowances which you may be due.
Increases and allowances
Increases or allowances which may be due to you are:
- an Increased rate for a Qualified Adult (Usually your spouse or civil partner. This is means tested)
- an Increased rate for a Qualified Child (if your child meets certain conditions. This is means tested)
- a Living Alone Increase
- an Age 80 Allowance (A higher rate of pension is payable to a pensioner aged 80 or over. The increase is paid automatically - there is no need to apply)
- a Fuel Allowance (this is means tested)
- a Telephone Support Allowance
- an Increase for Living on a Specified Island
| Your age | Yearly contribution average | Aggregated contributions method | Rate of weekly payment from 6 January 2023 |
| Aged 66 to 79 | 48 or more | 2,080 or more | €265.30 |
| Aged 80 and over | 48 or more | 2,080 or more | €275.30 |
The calculation of your rate of pension will depend on whether you have been assessed using a Yearly Average method or Aggregated Contributions Method.
You should apply for the State Pension (Contributory) three months before you turn 66.
If you paid social insurance contributions in more than one country, you should apply 6 months before you turn 66.
To apply, please fill in the application form at the bottom of this page.
You can also get this form from your local:
Please send your completed form and supporting documentation to:
State Pension (Contributory) Section
Address:
Social Welfare Services, Department of Social Protection, College Road, Sligo, Co. Sligo, F91 T384
Website:
Email:
Phone number:
State Pension (Contributory) application form for: Increase for Qualified Adult (SPCQA1)
Application form to apply for increase for a qualified adult. (State Pension Contributory)
Operational guidelines describe the processes and procedures that staff in the department follow when carrying out their work.
