Maintaining credits, pension query.

AgnesTruluv

Posting on behalf of a relative.

He recently took voluntary redundancy, after working forty years. Had been ill, unfortunately, for the past few years, and illness benefit entitlement is now exhausted. He has been advised by the Department to continue to submit certificates in order to maintain credits.

He hopes when his health improves to look for work.

If he ceases to submit certs, and credits are not maintained, will this affect his pension entitlement when he reaches 66?

Thanks. I hope I have explained it reasonably clearly.

Jerry Attrick

AgnesTruluv wrote: »

Posting on behalf of a relative.

He recently took voluntary redundancy, after working forty years. Had been ill, unfortunately, for the past few years, and illness benefit entitlement is now exhausted. He has been advised by the Department to continue to submit certificates in order to maintain credits.

He hopes when his health improves to look for work.

If he ceases to submit certs, and credits are not maintained, will this affect his pension entitlement when he reaches 66?

It might or might not depending on his overall PRSI contribution history and how the rules may change in the coming years.

Either way, he'd be well advised to follow the advice that he was given by the Department.

Mrs. Doyle

He should contact Social Welfare to confirm his qualification and getting a statement of what he has paid to-date and his credits also. He can do this by contacting them.

He could also register on mygovid.ie and make sure he gets a full account (request password in post) to all services which will enable him to print off a statement for himself.

There is a more recent payment for 65 year olds to tide them over from 65 to 66 but it would appear that 13 contributions must have been paid rather than credited in his contribution year through illness etc so this may disqualify him from that.

If Social Welfare have advised that he should continue submitting the certs then it would appear to be the best option.

He could also call Citizens' Information as they are very helpful and they should be able to cover all options with him.

AgnesTruluv

Thanks a million, for the replies, will pass them along to him.