Cost Neutral Early Retirement & Careers Allowance

CuppaCocoa

I'm a public servant and have worked in my current job for 26 years. My mother is 83 and is getting to the stage when she needs someone to be with her. She lives on her on and I'm the only child.

If I were to avail of cost neutral early retirement I would end up with a pension of about €350 per month :eek:! I would get a lump sum as well which would be equivalent to about 1.5 years salary. Not a great incentive! Would I be entitled to a careers allowance and if so, will my pension and lump sum be taken into consideration?

Trying to figure out what's the best thing to do - stay in my job and use my wages to help pay for home help for her or leave and apply for the careers allowance.

mp22

Start here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/carers/carers_allowance.html

Savings:- in general you are allowed to have up to 20,000 euro for means tested payments. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/means_test_for_social_welfare_payments/how_to_assess_your_means_from_capital_for_social_welfare_payments.html

cee_jay

If you are giving up work to be a carer, and have the required contributions, you should look at Carer's Benefit instead: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/carers/carers_benefit.html
Also, speak with your Personnel department re: carer's leave:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/carers_leave_from_employment.html

CuppaCocoa

Thanks for all the help!