Almost 1,350 have pension entitlements reviewed

Almost 1,350 people in Co Cavan have had their pension entitlements reviewed by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, some of whom received an increase in their rate of payment.

It follows the January 2018 decision to carry out an interim total contributions approach (TCA) to the calculation of pension entitlement for those State pension (contributory) customers born on or after September 1, 1946, and in receipt of pension on post-2012 rates.

The reviews, now all complete, commenced from February 13, 2019, the day after regulations under the Social Welfare, Pension & Civil Registrations Act 2018 came into force.

When the reviews were concluded at the end of October 2019, a total of 94,258 reviews nationally were completed, 56% of which related to female recipients.

As these reviews were processed, pensioners were notified and increases (where applicable) paid, together with arrears backdated to March 30, 2018, or the person’s 66th birthday if later.

Those who did not qualify for an increase in payment (59% of those reviewed) continue to receive their existing weekly rate.

An increase in pension entitlement was awarded to 54% of women and 24% of men. Some 20,129 pensioners increased their rate of payment to the maximum rate of pension (72% women; 28% men).

In neighbouring Co Monaghan, 1,178 had their pensions reviewed, with 689 in Leitrim, 752 in Longford, and 3,239 in Meath.