Thousands of pensioners who are missing out on up to €35 a week because of an anomaly in the system are to be restored to a higher rate from March – but they won’t get the money until 2019.
Ministers today approved a plan to appease older people who feel cheated by changes made to the way pensions are calculated in 2012.
It is estimated that 42,000 people, primarily women, were losing out because they took time out of the workplace, often to raise children.
Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty today announced the introduction of a new ‘HomeCaring Credit’ which will allows people to have taken up to 20 years out of the workplace.
Pensioners currently on the lower rate are to have their entitlements reassessed later this year.
If they qualify for a higher rate on foot of the new credit, this will be backdated to March 30, 2018.
However, as Ms Doherty does not have funding allocated for the pension top-ups this year the money will not be paid until the first quarter of 2019.
The Minister said not all 42,000 people will benefit as some may be better off under the existing system. If that’s the case they will be allowed to retain their current payment.
Ms Doherty said it was “unfair” that people were penalised in this way over the past five years – but said there will be no back payments for that period.
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