State Pension after retirement

Godsentme

Hi people,

I'm am to retire at the end of April when i'm 65. I've been searching through all the government sites but I'm can't get a plan together as to exactly what to do and what i am entitled to.

I am a widower.
I live alone in a corporation house. (Rented, I know i wil get this reduced)
I have savings in the P.O. and the Credit union. Also a very small pension to come.Maybe e800 P.A.

Could somebody please in simple terms
(Like, 1.....
2......
3....)
how i should approach this.

PS I'm very nervous and for some reason slightly ashamed to be retiring, believe it or not.

Anyway I'd be very grateful for any advice. Thanks.

Kristopherus

Have you enough PRSI (stamps) to entitle you to a Contributory pension? If so, you savings or other pension will not count as means against. If not, you will have to apply for the Nom-Contributory pension, which does not kick in till you arr 66. If you are applying for the Con Pension, you should do so straight away, as Welfare advise that you should apply 3 month
in advance of your 65th birthday.

A lot of reading & info for you here: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/a-retired-or-an-older-person.aspx

wellieboot

If you are a widower and living alone and have been working, you should immediately apply for the survivor's pension

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Widowers-Pension-Contributory.aspx

If you're not already in receipt you should seek backdating. It's based on PRSI contributions and not means tested.

Godsentme

wellieboot wrote: »

If you are a widower and living alone and have been working, you should immediately apply for the survivor's pension

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Widowers-Pension-Contributory.aspx

If you're not already in receipt you should seek backdating. It's based on PRSI contributions and not means tested.

Thanks Welliboot. I already have that.

wellieboot

You can't get both Survivor's and Transition Pension. You should apply for the Transition though-you might qualify at a higher rate than the Survivor's pays.

See the attached. Pages 17 & 21

http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/sw19.pdf

skippy2

"PS I'm very nervous and for some reason slightly ashamed to be retiring, believe it or not."

Dont ever be ashamed you have worked hard and earned it.....so enjoy :-)