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Irlanda
| Población total (m.): | 4.6 |
| PIB per cápita (USD): | 44613 |
Old Age, Disability and Survivors
Regulatory Framework
First laws: 1908 (old-age assistance), 1911 (disability insurance), and 1935 (survivor insurance).
Current laws: 2005 (Social Welfare Consolidation Act) and 2011 (The Social Welfare and Pensions Act).
Type of program: Social insurance and social assistance system.
Current laws: 2005 (Social Welfare Consolidation Act) and 2011 (The Social Welfare and Pensions Act).
Type of program: Social insurance and social assistance system.
Coverage
Employed persons with weekly earnings of at least €38.
Self-employed persons with annual earnings of €5,000 or more are covered for contributory old-age and survivor benefits.
Exclusions: Part-time employees earning less than €38 a week; permanent public servants eligible for a public servant's pension before April 6, 1995; and casual household workers.
Self-employed persons with annual earnings of €5,000 or more are covered for contributory old-age and survivor benefits.
Exclusions: Part-time employees earning less than €38 a week; permanent public servants eligible for a public servant's pension before April 6, 1995; and casual household workers.
Source of funds
Insured person: With weekly earnings of €352 or less, none; with weekly earnings over €352, none for the first €127 of covered weekly earnings and 4% of covered weekly earnings from €128.
There are no maximum earnings used to calculate contributions.
The insured's contributions also finance sickness and maternity, medical, work injury, unemployment, and adoption benefits.
Self-employed person: With an annual income of €5,000 or more, 4% of covered income.
The self-employed person's annual income used to calculate contributions is based on gross income minus capital allowances and superannuation (private pension) contributions. Contributions are paid annually.
The self-employed person's contributions also finance cash maternity, adoption, and medical benefits.
Employer: For employees with weekly earnings of €356 or less, 4.25% of gross wages; for employees with weekly earnings greater than €356, 10.75% of gross wages.
There are no maximum earnings used to calculate contributions.
The employer's contributions also finance sickness and maternity, work injury, unemployment, and adoption benefits.
Government: Any deficit in the social insurance fund and the total cost of means-tested allowances.
There are no maximum earnings used to calculate contributions.
The insured's contributions also finance sickness and maternity, medical, work injury, unemployment, and adoption benefits.
Self-employed person: With an annual income of €5,000 or more, 4% of covered income.
The self-employed person's annual income used to calculate contributions is based on gross income minus capital allowances and superannuation (private pension) contributions. Contributions are paid annually.
The self-employed person's contributions also finance cash maternity, adoption, and medical benefits.
Employer: For employees with weekly earnings of €356 or less, 4.25% of gross wages; for employees with weekly earnings greater than €356, 10.75% of gross wages.
There are no maximum earnings used to calculate contributions.
The employer's contributions also finance sickness and maternity, work injury, unemployment, and adoption benefits.
Government: Any deficit in the social insurance fund and the total cost of means-tested allowances.
Qualifying conditions
State pension (transition): Age 65 up to age 66. Age 65 with coverage beginning before age 55. Must have at least 260 weeks of paid contributions, with an annual average of at least 24 weeks of paid or credited contributions (since 1953 or the date insured employment started, if later, up to the end of the last tax year before reaching age 65). From January 1, 2014 the state pension (transition) will be discontinued.
Any years since 1994 spent caring for children younger than age 12 (no limit if disabled) are disregarded when calculating the annual average contribution; up to 20 years may be disregarded.
For the full pension, the insured must have an annual average of at least 48 weeks of paid or credited contributions.
Partial pension: Paid with an annual average of 24 to 47 weeks of paid or credited contributions since entry into insured employment.
Employment must cease.
At age 66, the state pension (transition) ceases to be paid and all beneficiaries receive at least the minimum state pension (contributory).
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child) and a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
The state pension (transition) is payable abroad.
State pension (contributory): Age 66 (rising gradually to 67 by 2021 and 68 by 2028) with coverage beginning before age 56. If reaching pensionable age on or after April 6, 2012, the insured must have at least 520 weeks of paid contributions. The full pension is paid with an annual average of at least 48 weeks of paid or credited contributions before age 66.
Partial pension: Paid with an annual average of 10 to 47 weeks of paid or credited contributions since entry into insured employment.
Retirement is not necessary.
Any years since 1994 spent caring for children younger than age 12 (no limit if disabled) are disregarded when calculating the annual average contribution; up to 20 years may be disregarded.
Credited contributions count toward the qualifying conditions for certain benefits if receiving the state pension (transition) or cash benefits for sickness, maternity, permanent disability, unemployment, or work injury.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child) and a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
The state pension (contributory) is payable abroad.
No early or deferred pension is paid.
State pension (noncontributory and means-tested): Paid to habitual residents aged 66 (rising gradually to 67 by 2021, 68 by 2028) or older with limited means who do not qualify for the contributory state pension.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child) and a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
Preretirement allowance (means-tested): Paid to residents aged 55 to 66 with limited means who have received unemployment benefits for more than 15 months and have retired completely. (Preretirement allowance was abolished as of July 4, 2007, except for those who were entitled to the benefit before that date.)
Employment must cease.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child) and a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
Caregiver's benefit: Must be aged 16 to 66, employed for eight weeks during the previous 26 weeks, and left the workforce to care for a person in need of constant attendance at home. The caregiver may be employed or self-employed for up to 15 hours a week outside the home, must have at least 156 paid contributions with at least 39 paid in the last tax year or in the 12 months before applying for the benefit, or at least 26 paid contributions in each of the last two tax years.
Caregiver's allowance (means-tested): Paid to residents aged 18 or older with limited means who live with and care for a person aged 16 or older requiring constant attendance. The caregiver must not work for more than 15 hours a week. (A person receiving certain social welfare payments and satisfying the conditions for the caregiver's allowance may receive 50% of the caregiver's allowance in addition to other payments.)
Disability pension (invalidity pension): The insured must be assessed with a permanent incapacity for work, and have at least 260 weeks of paid contributions with at least 48 weeks paid or credited in the last tax year. The benefit is paid after receiving an ordinary sickness benefit for a year (or less than a year for a severe incapacity).
The incapacity for work is assessed by the Department of Social Protection following a medical examination and is reviewed periodically.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child) and a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
The disability pension is payable abroad.
Blind person's pension (means-tested): Paid to habitual residents aged 18 or older with severely reduced vision and limited means.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child).
Disability allowance (means-tested): Paid to habitual residents aged 16 to 66 with limited means who are assessed with a physical or mental disability and substantially restricted in carrying out work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of their age, experience, and qualifications.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child) and a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
Widow(er)'s pension (contributory): The deceased or the deceased's spouse must have at least 156 weeks of paid contributions (rising to 260 by 2013) with an annual average of at least 39 weeks of paid or credited contributions in either the last three or five tax years before the date the spouse died or reached age 66.
Partial pension: Paid with an annual average of 24 to 47 weeks of paid or credited contributions since entry into insured employment.
Widowed parents who do not qualify for the contributory pension may be entitled to the one-parent family payment (see Family Allowances).
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
Guardian's payment (contributory): Paid to a parent or stepparent for a full orphan; a half orphan if the whereabouts of the surviving parent are unknown or he or she has failed to provide for the child. The parent or stepparent must have at least 26 weeks of paid contributions. Children must be younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
Bereavement grant: Paid on the death of an insured person, the insured's spouse, the surviving spouse of an insured person, or the insured's child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student). It is also paid for the death of a cohabiting pensioner spouse and qualified child and orphan receiving the Guardian's Payment (non-contributory). The deceased, surviving spouse, or parent had at least 26 weeks of paid contributions since starting work and either 39 weeks of paid or credited contributions in the relevant tax year or an annual average of at least 39 weeks of paid or credited contributions over the three or five tax years before the date of death or reaching age 66.
Widowed parent's grant: Paid on the death of a spouse on or after December 1, 1999 to a widow(er) with at least one qualified child and entitled to certain benefits.
Contributory survivor benefits are payable abroad.
Widow(er)'s pension (noncontributory and means-tested): Paid to widowed habitual residents with limited means who are not cohabiting, who do not qualify for a contributory widow(er)'s pension, and do not have dependent children.
Guardian's payment (noncontributory and means-tested): Paid to habitual residents caring for full orphans with limited means; a habitual resident caring for a half orphan with limited means if the whereabouts of the surviving parent are unknown or he or she has failed to provide for the child. Children must be younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
Any years since 1994 spent caring for children younger than age 12 (no limit if disabled) are disregarded when calculating the annual average contribution; up to 20 years may be disregarded.
For the full pension, the insured must have an annual average of at least 48 weeks of paid or credited contributions.
Partial pension: Paid with an annual average of 24 to 47 weeks of paid or credited contributions since entry into insured employment.
Employment must cease.
At age 66, the state pension (transition) ceases to be paid and all beneficiaries receive at least the minimum state pension (contributory).
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child) and a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
The state pension (transition) is payable abroad.
State pension (contributory): Age 66 (rising gradually to 67 by 2021 and 68 by 2028) with coverage beginning before age 56. If reaching pensionable age on or after April 6, 2012, the insured must have at least 520 weeks of paid contributions. The full pension is paid with an annual average of at least 48 weeks of paid or credited contributions before age 66.
Partial pension: Paid with an annual average of 10 to 47 weeks of paid or credited contributions since entry into insured employment.
Retirement is not necessary.
Any years since 1994 spent caring for children younger than age 12 (no limit if disabled) are disregarded when calculating the annual average contribution; up to 20 years may be disregarded.
Credited contributions count toward the qualifying conditions for certain benefits if receiving the state pension (transition) or cash benefits for sickness, maternity, permanent disability, unemployment, or work injury.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child) and a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
The state pension (contributory) is payable abroad.
No early or deferred pension is paid.
State pension (noncontributory and means-tested): Paid to habitual residents aged 66 (rising gradually to 67 by 2021, 68 by 2028) or older with limited means who do not qualify for the contributory state pension.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child) and a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
Preretirement allowance (means-tested): Paid to residents aged 55 to 66 with limited means who have received unemployment benefits for more than 15 months and have retired completely. (Preretirement allowance was abolished as of July 4, 2007, except for those who were entitled to the benefit before that date.)
Employment must cease.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child) and a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
Caregiver's benefit: Must be aged 16 to 66, employed for eight weeks during the previous 26 weeks, and left the workforce to care for a person in need of constant attendance at home. The caregiver may be employed or self-employed for up to 15 hours a week outside the home, must have at least 156 paid contributions with at least 39 paid in the last tax year or in the 12 months before applying for the benefit, or at least 26 paid contributions in each of the last two tax years.
Caregiver's allowance (means-tested): Paid to residents aged 18 or older with limited means who live with and care for a person aged 16 or older requiring constant attendance. The caregiver must not work for more than 15 hours a week. (A person receiving certain social welfare payments and satisfying the conditions for the caregiver's allowance may receive 50% of the caregiver's allowance in addition to other payments.)
Disability pension (invalidity pension): The insured must be assessed with a permanent incapacity for work, and have at least 260 weeks of paid contributions with at least 48 weeks paid or credited in the last tax year. The benefit is paid after receiving an ordinary sickness benefit for a year (or less than a year for a severe incapacity).
The incapacity for work is assessed by the Department of Social Protection following a medical examination and is reviewed periodically.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child) and a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
The disability pension is payable abroad.
Blind person's pension (means-tested): Paid to habitual residents aged 18 or older with severely reduced vision and limited means.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child).
Disability allowance (means-tested): Paid to habitual residents aged 16 to 66 with limited means who are assessed with a physical or mental disability and substantially restricted in carrying out work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of their age, experience, and qualifications.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a qualified adult (a dependent spouse, cohabitating partner, divorced spouse, or person older than age 16 who cares for the insured's dependent child) and a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
Widow(er)'s pension (contributory): The deceased or the deceased's spouse must have at least 156 weeks of paid contributions (rising to 260 by 2013) with an annual average of at least 39 weeks of paid or credited contributions in either the last three or five tax years before the date the spouse died or reached age 66.
Partial pension: Paid with an annual average of 24 to 47 weeks of paid or credited contributions since entry into insured employment.
Widowed parents who do not qualify for the contributory pension may be entitled to the one-parent family payment (see Family Allowances).
Dependent's supplement: Paid for a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
Guardian's payment (contributory): Paid to a parent or stepparent for a full orphan; a half orphan if the whereabouts of the surviving parent are unknown or he or she has failed to provide for the child. The parent or stepparent must have at least 26 weeks of paid contributions. Children must be younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
Bereavement grant: Paid on the death of an insured person, the insured's spouse, the surviving spouse of an insured person, or the insured's child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student). It is also paid for the death of a cohabiting pensioner spouse and qualified child and orphan receiving the Guardian's Payment (non-contributory). The deceased, surviving spouse, or parent had at least 26 weeks of paid contributions since starting work and either 39 weeks of paid or credited contributions in the relevant tax year or an annual average of at least 39 weeks of paid or credited contributions over the three or five tax years before the date of death or reaching age 66.
Widowed parent's grant: Paid on the death of a spouse on or after December 1, 1999 to a widow(er) with at least one qualified child and entitled to certain benefits.
Contributory survivor benefits are payable abroad.
Widow(er)'s pension (noncontributory and means-tested): Paid to widowed habitual residents with limited means who are not cohabiting, who do not qualify for a contributory widow(er)'s pension, and do not have dependent children.
Guardian's payment (noncontributory and means-tested): Paid to habitual residents caring for full orphans with limited means; a habitual resident caring for a half orphan with limited means if the whereabouts of the surviving parent are unknown or he or she has failed to provide for the child. Children must be younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student).
Cash benefits for insured workers (except permanent disability)
State pension (transition): The full weekly pension is €230.30.
Partial pension: €225.90 a week is paid.
Dependent's supplement: €153.50 a week is paid for a qualified adult younger than age 66, €206.30 a week if aged 66 or older, and €29.80 a week for each dependent child; €14.90 if the spouse or partner has earnings or income over €310 a week.
State pension (contributory): The full weekly pension is €230.30; an additional €7.70 a week is paid for an unmarried pensioner aged 66 or older who lives alone.
Partial pension: From €92 to €225.80 a week is paid for an annual average of 10 to 47 weeks.
Dependent's supplement: Up to €153.50 a week is paid for a qualified adult younger than age 66, €206.30 a week if aged 66 or older (reduced rates if the pensioner receives less than the full pension or if the qualified adult has earnings or income from €100 to €310 a week; no supplement is paid if the qualified adult has earnings or income greater than €310 a week), and €29.80 a week for each dependent child; €14.90 if the spouse or partner has earnings or income over €310 a week.
State pension (noncontributory and means-tested): Up to €219 a week is paid; €229 a week if aged 80 or older; an additional €7.70 a week for an unmarried pensioner aged 66 or older who lives alone.
Dependent's supplement: Up to €144.70 a week is paid for a qualified adult and €29.80 for each dependent child or €14.90 if the dependent supplement for a qualified adult is not paid.
Preretirement allowance (means-tested): Up to €188 a week is paid.
Dependent's supplement: €124.80 a week is paid for a qualified adult and €29.80 a week is paid for a dependent child or €14.90 if the dependent supplement for a qualified adult is not paid.
Caregiver's benefit: €205 a week is paid; €307.50 if caring for two or more persons and €29.80 for a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student) or €14.90 per child for caregivers living with their spouse or partner. For each person being cared for the benefit is paid for up to two years.
Caregiver's allowance (means-tested): Up to €204 a week is paid; €307.50 if caring for two or more persons; €239 a week if aged 66 or older; €358 for two or more person aged 66 or older. An additional 50% is paid if caring for two persons. An additional €29.80 is paid for each dependent child; €14.90 for each child if the caregiver is living with his or her spouse or partner.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually.
Partial pension: €225.90 a week is paid.
Dependent's supplement: €153.50 a week is paid for a qualified adult younger than age 66, €206.30 a week if aged 66 or older, and €29.80 a week for each dependent child; €14.90 if the spouse or partner has earnings or income over €310 a week.
State pension (contributory): The full weekly pension is €230.30; an additional €7.70 a week is paid for an unmarried pensioner aged 66 or older who lives alone.
Partial pension: From €92 to €225.80 a week is paid for an annual average of 10 to 47 weeks.
Dependent's supplement: Up to €153.50 a week is paid for a qualified adult younger than age 66, €206.30 a week if aged 66 or older (reduced rates if the pensioner receives less than the full pension or if the qualified adult has earnings or income from €100 to €310 a week; no supplement is paid if the qualified adult has earnings or income greater than €310 a week), and €29.80 a week for each dependent child; €14.90 if the spouse or partner has earnings or income over €310 a week.
State pension (noncontributory and means-tested): Up to €219 a week is paid; €229 a week if aged 80 or older; an additional €7.70 a week for an unmarried pensioner aged 66 or older who lives alone.
Dependent's supplement: Up to €144.70 a week is paid for a qualified adult and €29.80 for each dependent child or €14.90 if the dependent supplement for a qualified adult is not paid.
Preretirement allowance (means-tested): Up to €188 a week is paid.
Dependent's supplement: €124.80 a week is paid for a qualified adult and €29.80 a week is paid for a dependent child or €14.90 if the dependent supplement for a qualified adult is not paid.
Caregiver's benefit: €205 a week is paid; €307.50 if caring for two or more persons and €29.80 for a dependent child younger than age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student) or €14.90 per child for caregivers living with their spouse or partner. For each person being cared for the benefit is paid for up to two years.
Caregiver's allowance (means-tested): Up to €204 a week is paid; €307.50 if caring for two or more persons; €239 a week if aged 66 or older; €358 for two or more person aged 66 or older. An additional 50% is paid if caring for two persons. An additional €29.80 is paid for each dependent child; €14.90 for each child if the caregiver is living with his or her spouse or partner.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually.
Permanent disability benefits for insured workers
Disability pension (invalidity pension): €193.50 a week is paid; €230.30 a week if aged 65 or older; an additional €7.70 a week is paid for an unmarried pensioner aged 66 or older who lives alone, and €12.70 a week for a pensioner aged 66 or older living on certain offshore islands.
Dependent's supplement: €138.10 a week is paid for a qualified adult (€206.30 a week if aged 66 or older) and €29.80 a week for each dependent child; €14.90 a week if the spouse or partner has earnings or income over €310 a week.
Blind person's pension (means-tested): Up to €188 a week is paid; €198 a week if aged 80 or older; an additional €7.70 a week is paid for an unmarried pensioner aged 66 or older who lives alone.
Dependent's supplement: €124.80 a week is paid for a qualified adult and €29.80 a week for each dependent child; €14.90 if the spouse or partner has earnings or income over €310 a week.
Disability allowance (means-tested): Up to €188 a week is paid; an additional €7.70 a week is paid for an unmarried pensioner aged 66 or older who lives alone.
Dependent's supplement: €124.80 a week is paid for a qualified adult and €29.80 a week is paid for a dependent child (€14.90 if the dependent supplement for a qualified adult is not paid.).
Dependent's supplement: €138.10 a week is paid for a qualified adult (€206.30 a week if aged 66 or older) and €29.80 a week for each dependent child; €14.90 a week if the spouse or partner has earnings or income over €310 a week.
Blind person's pension (means-tested): Up to €188 a week is paid; €198 a week if aged 80 or older; an additional €7.70 a week is paid for an unmarried pensioner aged 66 or older who lives alone.
Dependent's supplement: €124.80 a week is paid for a qualified adult and €29.80 a week for each dependent child; €14.90 if the spouse or partner has earnings or income over €310 a week.
Disability allowance (means-tested): Up to €188 a week is paid; an additional €7.70 a week is paid for an unmarried pensioner aged 66 or older who lives alone.
Dependent's supplement: €124.80 a week is paid for a qualified adult and €29.80 a week is paid for a dependent child (€14.90 if the dependent supplement for a qualified adult is not paid.).
Survivors benefits for dependents
Widow(er)'s pension (contributory): €193.50 a week is paid; €240.30 a week if aged 66 or older; an additional €7.70 a week is paid for an unmarried pensioner aged 66 or older who lives alone.
Partial pension: A reduced pension is paid.
Dependent's supplement: €29.80 is paid for each qualified child.
Guardian's payment (contributory): €161 a week is paid.
Bereavement grant: A lump sum of up to €850 is paid to the next of kin.
Widowed parent's grant: A lump sum of €6,000 is paid.
Widow(er)'s pension (noncontributory and means-tested): Up to €188 a week is paid.
Guardian's payment (noncontributory and means-tested): Up to €161 a week is paid.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually.
Partial pension: A reduced pension is paid.
Dependent's supplement: €29.80 is paid for each qualified child.
Guardian's payment (contributory): €161 a week is paid.
Bereavement grant: A lump sum of up to €850 is paid to the next of kin.
Widowed parent's grant: A lump sum of €6,000 is paid.
Widow(er)'s pension (noncontributory and means-tested): Up to €188 a week is paid.
Guardian's payment (noncontributory and means-tested): Up to €161 a week is paid.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted annually.
Administrative organization
Department of Social and Family Affairs (http://www.welfare.ie) administers the program.
Department of Social and Family Affairs
Áras Mhic Dhiarmada,
Store Street,
Dublin 1,
Ireland
Tel.: +(353-1) 874 8444
Fax: +(353-1) 704 3721
Revenue Commissioners collect contributions for insured persons.
Última Respuesta a la Encuesta: 01 enero 2012
Última Actualización Efectuada por la AISS: 01 enero 2012
Tipo de cambio: US$1.00 = 0.77 euros (€).