End of transition pension

Kim yong super

Hi,

Does anyone know how the abolision of the transition pension affects people retiring now? Up to now you were entitled to the transition pension once you retire at age 65 until your 66th birthday were you transferred to the contributary pension. THere isn't anything to replace the transition pension.
Does this mean that you are entitled to social welfare payments once you have made enough social insurance contributions? Or is it expected that you look for another job in the interm? Most contracts state a retirement age of 65 so there may be no option to stay in the person's present employment after reaching 65

coylemj

The abolition of the transition pension (for new claimants from Jan 1, 2014) is part of a scheme to raise the pension age. If you retire from work at age 65 from Jan 1st last, it means that you now have to claim social welfare benefits or allowances in the same way as if you were made redundant. From age 66 you can claim the contributory state pension if you have the required contributions.

Beginning in 2021 the pension age will increase to 67, the first people affected will be those born in 1955 who will not be able to claim until the following year.

In 2028 the pension age will increase to 68, the first people affected will be those born in 1961.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Frequently-Asked-Questions---State-Pension-Increase-in-pensi.aspx

mrsbyrne

If you have to retire at 65 you can claim Job seeker Benefit until you are 66. You will not have to be available for work but you can take part in any of the courses or training going on if you fancy it. I think you don't even have to sign on every month and you possibly can get it paid into the bank. I'll check and get back to you. €188 for yourself €124 for your other half if you have one and she's/he's not working €29.80 for any kids in full time education up to 22.

mrsbyrne

Just checked that so yes you only have to sign on once and you can have payment into your bank.

danjo-xx

I'm going through this process currently unfortunately.:D

Older jobseekers

Existing arrangements for older jobseekers

People over 65 who are claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB), and who have at least 156 PRSI contributions, can continue to receive JB until their 66th birthday even if their claim is due to end before that date. This special provision extends the duration of JB for people aged 65 and over and aims to support the transition of older workers from the labour force into retirement.
New arrangements for older jobseekers

The Department of Social Protection is putting new administrative provisions in place to ease the transition from the labour force into retirement. From 1 January 2014, if you are claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance and are aged 62 or over, the following will apply:
You will no longer be required to engage with the activation process and you will not be subject to penalty rates for non-engagement.

You can voluntarily avail of a range of supports (for example, training or employment support programmes) from the Department of Social Protection
In addition, most jobseekers aged 62 or over will be placed on a yearly signing arrangement with their local social welfare office (this means that they do not need to sign on regularly) and most will be transferred to Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) payments so payment can be made directly into their bank account. Certain categories of older jobseekers may be required to engage more frequently with their local social welfare office. For example, casual jobseekers of 62 and older must continue to submit weekly dockets of their work patterns.

Note that to qualify for either Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance you must be genuinely seeking work and be available for full-time employment and these conditions will continue to apply to older jobseekers.

You still have to be available for and genuinely seeking work, how hard this rule will be enforced on someone a year off the SP in this recession is another matter, we'll see.

Kim yong super

That's great guys. Thank you very much for the info. Where did you find that information? Revenue.ie and citizensinformation.ie are very poor, most of the information is out of date which is what led to my confusion about how the system changed.

mrsbyrne

Kim yong super wrote: »

That's great guys. Thank you very much for the info. Where did you find that information? Revenue.ie and citizensinformation.ie are very poor, most of the information is out of date which is what led to my confusion about how the system changed.

All the above information is from WWW.citizensinformation.is
I'll post the link for you

mrsbyrne

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/unemployed_people/jobseekers_benefit.html
You won't get any information on SW entitlements on revenue.is as SW is not a revenue matter.