Budget 2012 - Changes to State Pension (Transition) and State Pension (Contributory)

Frequently Asked Questions

What changes have been introduced in Budget 2012?

1.    (a) State Pension (Transition)-(SPT) will include two new rate bands for a person with an average of 24-47 paid contributions and/or credits per year over their working life.
   
      (b) State Pension (Contributory)-(SPC) will include two new rate bands for a person with an average of 20-47 paid contributions and/or credits per year over their working life.
2. Late claims for SPT and SPC will only be backdated for a maximum period of 6 months
3. Fuel Allowance will be paid for a period of 26 weeks (previously 32 weeks).
4. Payment of Increase for Qualified Child (IQC) at half rate will not be paid if the spouse, partner or civil-partner has means in excess of €400 per week.

From when do these changes take effect?

1. The additional rate bands will apply for claims received from September 2012.
2. The changes to the rules for backdating of late claims will apply to claims received from April 2012.
3. Change to Fuel Allowance will take effect in 2012. The current fuel season will end on pay-date Thursday 5 April 2012 for recipients of SPT and on pay-date Friday 6 April 2012 for recipients of SPC. The fuel season for 2012/2013 will commence on pay-date Thursday 11 October 2012 for recipients of SPT and on pay-date Friday 12 October 2012 for recipients of SPC.
4. Change to the qualifying conditions for Increase for Qualified Child at half rate will take effect for claims received on or after 5 July 2012 (for SPT) and 6 July 2012 (for SPC).

Do these changes affect people already in receipt of State Pension (Contributory) and State Pension (Transition)?

1. New Rate Bands
   No, there will be no change to the payment rates for existing recipients of SPT or SPC.
2. Backdating
   No, changes to backdating rules do not apply to existing recipients of SPT or SPC.
3. Fuel Allowance
   Yes, current recipients of Fuel Allowance on SPT and SPC will be affected by this change.
4. Increase for a Qualified Child
   No, changes to IQC at half rate will only affect new SPT and SPC customers.