To qualify for the contributory state pension you need at least 520 full-rate paid PRSI contributions, but you can also explore the non-contributory pension. Stock photo
Q I am turning 66 this November. I applied for a state pension a few weeks ago, and received a decision last week saying I’m 30 paid contributions short of 10 years and I don’t qualify. I have 490 Irish PRSI paid contributions, 46 credited contributions and 966 long-term carers’ contributions. I paid UK National Insurance from December 1989 to August 1995. The Department of Social Protection has told me they are applying to the UK to see about transferring my NI contributions. They also said that my home caring contributions wouldn’t be added, which I find hard to understand. Any advice?
A To qualify for the Irish State Pension (Contributory), you generally need at least 520 full-rate paid PRSI contributions, equivalent to 10 years of paid work, said Sarah McGurrin, head of employee benefits with NFP Ireland, a professional services firm specialising in wealth management. Unfortunately, credited contributions and home caring periods do not count toward meeting this initial requirement (although they may still be valuable later), she said.
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