Irishman retiring here after lifetime working abroad

cmore123

Hello

I seek some advice, if I may. I am an Irish citizen but have worked in England all my working life. I took early retirement recently. I paid British National Insurance contributions for almost 40 years. I am currently unemployed but living off the remains of my lump sum, the rest of which will go to buy a house here which will be my only residence.

I'm told that my contributions in the UK can be made to count towards a state pension here, and I may be entitled to the same sort of retirement / medical benefits that I would in the UK, or that other Irish citizens would here. Does anyone know of this is correct?

I have a valid PPS number which I obtained a few years back when a chance of employment here arose, though I didn't take it.

Any help anyone can give me would be appreciated, as I find the state benefits website a little bewildering!

Thanks in advance.

cmore123

I should add that I emigrated from here at age 18.

mp22

First off start here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/social_assistance_payments/residency_requirements_for_social_assistance_in_ireland.html

Then here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/claiming_a_social_welfare_payment/social_insurance_contributions_from_abroad.html

cmore123

Many thanks, MP22.

Chisler2

There are 'reciprocal arrangements' between UK and Ireland - indeed between all countries in the EU. You can arrange to have your index-linked pension paid by the UK government into your Irish bank account, or continue to receive it into your UK bank so you have control of what/when you move currency across into Euro at terms advantageous to you.

The PPS you obtained is - to my knowledge - is valid regardless of whether or not you have used it in an employment (mine - issues when I worked in Ireland before emigrating, was still valid when I needed it to purchase a retirement property in Ireland........the solicitor will ask you for this). You can use it now for all official purposes. Wishing you luck in this new phase of life.

cmore123

Very many thanks, Chisler.

Cushie Butterfield

cmore123 wrote: »

and I may be entitled to the same sort of retirement / medical benefits that I would in the UK, or that other Irish citizens would here. Does anyone know of this is correct?

''Under EU Regulation 1408/71, EU pensioners resident in Ireland who are in receipt of a social security pension from another EU/EEA state or Switzerland are entitled to a non-means tested medical card, provided they are not in receipt of an Irish social security pension, are not subject to PRSI for earnings, and are not employed or self employed in Ireland.

According to the HSE, any additional income to the qualifying pension not subject to PRSI is not taken into account when determining entitlement to a medical card, eg. occupational pension, investment income, etc. (Medical Card/GP Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines – available on HSE website and from the INMO Information Office).''


'' A person who has a UK social security pension does not need to obtain EU Form €121 but must provide proof that they are in receipt of such a pension when making application for a medical card.''


http://www.inmo.ie/Home/Index/7641/10229


If you scroll down to Section 6 (starts on page 26) of this pdf document you'll get more detailed information:


http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/mc/forms/assessmentguidelines.pdf