An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 9 while maximum gratuity is 65 weeks' pensionable pay. • 1½% spouses' and children's contribution; but no 'main scheme' contribution. Joined between April 2004 and December 2012 Main Features: 'Minimum pension age' is 50 regardless of rank. This means that pension and gratuity are payable immediately on retire- ment only if you serve to age 50. Otherwise, where retire- ment is before age 50, pension and gratuity are preserved, i.e. payable from age 60. Officers and Enlisted Personnel: • Benefits are fully pay-related and based on overall quali- fying service and pensionable pay. • Maximum benefits accrue over 30 years (rather than 40). • In effect, maximum retirement pension = ½ pensionable pay less the annual maximum personal rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). • Maximum retirement gratuity = 1½ times pensionable pay. • Pension is subject to standard integration with Social Insurance system, as in public service pension schemes generally. • Officers pay standard 6½% contribution, while enlisted personnel pay 1½% to spouses' and children's scheme only. Joining from 1st January 2013 onwards Members of Single Public Service Pension Scheme Officers and Enlisted Personnel: • Retirement benefits are based on 'career average earn- ings', rather than 'final salary' as applies generally. Ben- efits to be linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). • 'Minimum pension age' is age 50; otherwise, where leaving before age 50, pension and gratuity will be preserved. • Pensions, integrated with the Social Insurance system, accrue at a 'fast accrual' rate of 1/70th a year (instead of a standard 1/80th in other public service areas), but with a higher contribution rate of 7.5% (instead of standard 6.5% for new entrants generally). • Where compulsorily retired on HR policy grounds from the PDF before age 50, preserved benefits will, excep- tionally, be payable from age 60 rather than State Pen- sion age (68) generally. DEFENCE FORCES DISABILITY PENSIONS Who can apply? Any former member of the Permanent Defence Force, re- gardless of length of service or date of joining. When to apply? You can apply once you have left the Permanent Defence Force. Where to apply? You must contact Pensions Administration Section, Depart- ment of Defence to request an application form. The details are across. What are the time limits? Applications must be made within the following time limits; • Wound/injury attributable to military service - 1 year from date of retirement/discharge • Disease secondary to wound/injury attributable to mili- tary service - 1 year from date of retirement/discharge • Disease attributable to or aggravated by overseas service with the United Nations - 8 years from date of retirement/discharge There are no exceptions to these time limits. Apply to: Pensions administration section, Department of Defence, Aras an tSaile, Renmore, Galway H91 AN2E Email: pensions.admin@defence.ie Telephone: 091-743846/743844 Online: https://www.defence.ie/what-we-do/defence-forces-pension-information

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