An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July / August 2020 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | PENSIONS INFORMATION NOTE T here are a number of different pension schemes in operation for members of the PDF. Unless you have prior pensionable employment in the Public Service, membership generally depends on your rank and the date you joined the PDF KEY DATES AND SCHEMES • Joined before 1 April 2004 (there are different terms for officers pre and post April 1995), • Joined between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012, • Joined on or after 1 Jan 2013. WHERE DO I GET INFORMATION ON MY SCHEME? Serving members of the Permanent Defence Force are reminded that they can access information regarding their military pension entitlements (including scheme booklets) on the Department of Defence website at: https://www. defence.ie/what-we-do/defence-forces-pension-information This information is also available on IKON. The Personnel Support Service can also help you access the information. Note: Single Pension Scheme members have been issued Scheme information with their Annual Benefit Statements; also general information on the Single Scheme is available on a Department of Public Expenditure and Reform website dedicated to the Single Scheme https://singlepensionscheme. gov.ie/ WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE A QUERY? Members are requested to read the pensions information provided. Having done this, if you have a query, you can contact the Department of Defence: • by e-mail to pensions.admin@defence.ie; or • by phone at 091—743900 or Lo-Call 1890-426444 exten- sion 3900; or • by writing to: Pensions Administration Section Finance Branch Department of Defence Áras an tSáile Renmore Galway H91 AN2E. N.B. Please quote your service number on any correspondence. SUMMARY OF RETIREMENT BENEFIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALL PDF MEMBERS Joined before April 2004: Main Features: Benefits are payable immediately on retirement after rela- tively short periods of service, and regardless of age. There is no preservation of benefits. Officers • Pension and gratuity payable on retirement after 12 years' service. • Maximum pension (½ pay*) payable from 23 – 30 years' service depending on rank, service in rank, overall service etc. • Maximum gratuity (1½ times pensionable pay) is payable within 4 years of normal retirement age for the rank. • Pre-6 April 1995 officers (insured for modified PRSI 'Class C') pay 1½% contribution towards spouses' & children's pensions, but no 'main scheme' contribution. • Post-5 April 1995 officers (full PRSI 'Class A') pay standard public service 6½% pension contributions. *Their pen- sions are subject to standard integration with the Social Insurance system. In effect, maximum retirement pen- sion = 50% of pensionable pay less the annual maximum personal rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). Enlisted Personnel • Pension and gratuity are payable on discharge after 21 years' service, with maximum benefits payable after 31 years' service. • Pension is subject to a partial form of integration with Social Insurance system. • Maximum pension is approx. 50% of reckonable pay,

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