Pensions

LegacyUser

I worked for five years up to 1983.I stopped work to look after my children only doing the odd day/week/month of work during that time.I might have a job in September and I am wondering if I can add the credits to my previous credits or is the gap too big.What do I need to qualify for a pension or is my only option going to be a non-contributary pension.

Sue Ellen

To qualify for the OACP you need to have 520 paid contributions, this is equivalent to 10 years work.
You then have to have an average of minimum 10 contributions per year over your working life, this is from when you first went into paid employment. This would then only entitle you to the minimum pension, amount currently €92 per week. All your contributions will add together regardless of the gap. How many years have you left until you are 66?

wmpdd3

Would this help?

Working in the home and State pensions
In 1994, regulations were made that should make it easier for people who take some time off work to care for family members to qualify for pensions. The Homemakers' Scheme is for people who have been carers since or after 1994. It does not affect people who were carers before April 1994 and it is not of much use to those who give up work permanently. It is of greatest importance for those who work outside the home for a number of years, then spend a number of years as carers and then return to the workforce. It applies equally to women and men.

From 5 April 1994, any contribution year spent as a homemaker may be disregarded in the calculation of the yearly average up to a maximum of 20 years. So, the fact that you do not have any contributions in those years will not affect your entitlement to a pension.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/older_and_retired_people/state_pension_contributory.html