Retiring from work and the State Pension

Question: I will be 65 in May 2014, and will be retiring from work. I know that my State Pension will not be paid until I am 66, so can I claim any other social welfare payment in the meantime? Answer: There is no statutory retirement age in Ireland. Age of retirement is determined by your contract of employment. In many cases this is age 65. The State Pension (Transition) will no longer be paid from 1 January 2014, so many people will have an income gap before they can claim the State Pension (Contributory) at age 66. You can claim Jobseekerâ€â„¢s Benefit (which is based on your PRSI contributions). If you are aged between 65 and 66 your Jobseekerâ€â„¢s Benefit will continue until you qualify for your State Pension at age 66 (even if it would normally end sooner). You must have at least 156 paid contributions since entering employment to get this special concession. You can claim Jobseekerâ€â„¢s Allowance, if you do not qualify for Jobseekerâ€â„¢s Benefit, and you can continue to claim if you are on it already. The means test for Jobseekerâ€â„¢s Allowance takes into account all sources of income; if you have a pension from your employer or other private pension you may not qualify. You must satisfy the conditions for getting a jobseekerâ€â„¢s payment, such as being available for, actively seeking and capable of work. Please note, we will be closed on Good Friday March 29.