State Pensions
- Published on: 13 September 2024
- Last updated on: 31 March 2025
- State Pensions that are available
- What State Pension is for you
- Actions to take before you claim your State Pension
- How to apply for your pension
State Pensions that are available
Two main State Pensions
What State Pension is for you
To qualify for each State Pension you must meet a different set of requirements.
The following table may help you decide which State Pension to apply for. State Pension (Contributory) is shortened to 'SPC' and State Pension (Non-contributory) is shortened to 'SPNC'.
You can apply for one or both pensions. If you qualify for both State Pensions, we will award you the higher payment.
| Type of pension | SPC | SPNC |
|---|---|---|
| Available from 66 | Yes | Yes |
| Qualification based on social insurance |
Yes | No |
| Means tested | No | Yes |
| Range of rates if you do not qualify for max rate |
Yes | Yes |
| Can be paid if you live abroad |
Yes | No |
| Applicant must live in Ireland, and have right to live here |
N/A* | Yes |
| May get a higher rate if you choose to claim later than 66 (between 67 and 70) |
Yes | No |
| Rate can be improved if you qualify for Pension Caring Supports |
Yes | No |
| Additional allowance paid if you live alone |
Yes | Yes |
| Additional increases for dependant adults and children if you meet the qualification criteria |
Yes | Yes** |
| Subject to qualification, you can claim for Fuel Allowance, Telephone Support, Household Benefits Package |
Yes | Yes |
-Not applicable*
-State Pension (Non-contributory) is not paid for qualified adults over 66. When your qualified adult reaches 66 they can apply for a State Pension in their own right. **
State Pension (Contributory)
State Pension (Contributory) is a weekly payment based on your social insurance contribution record. It is not a means tested payment so your payment will not be impacted by any additional income you may have.
If you were born on or after 1 January 1958, you can choose a date between age 66 and 70 to access any State Pension (Contributory) entitlement you may have. A higher rate of State Pension (Contributory) may be payable to those accessing State Pension (Contributory) between ages 67 and 70.
If you continue to work, or take up employment, after you start receiving your State Pension (Contributory), you no longer pay PRSI.
To qualify, you must:
- be 66 or over
- have at least 520 social insurance contributions
To get the highest possible rate of pension you need to have at least 2080 contributions.
If you have more than 520 but less than 2080 contributions, your rate of pension will be less, depending on how many contributions you have.
If you do not meet these criteria, you may still be eligible for State Pension (Contributory) if you have:
- at least 260 full-rate contributions and ever worked as a civil or public servant
- worked in another EU/EEA country or in a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
If you have worked or lived in other countries, such as the UK, you might still qualify for State Pension (Contributory), even if you do not qualify based on your social insurance contribution record in Ireland.
We recommend you apply for State Pension (Contributory) 6 months before you wish to start claiming your pension.
Learn more about the State Pension (Contributory).
State Pension (Non-contributory)
The State Pension (Non-contributory) is a means tested payment. It may be available to you if you do not qualify for State Pension (Contributory) based on your social insurance contribution record or if you qualify for a reduced rate of the State Pension (Contributory).
If you qualify for both pensions, we will award you the higher payment.
To qualify, you must:
- be legally and habitually living in the State
- be 66 or over
- satisfy a means test
You should apply for the State Pension (Non-contributory) 6 months before your 66th birthday. You cannot choose to put off claiming State Pension (Non-contributory).
Learn more about the State Pension (Non-contributory)
Actions to take before you claim your State Pension
Before you apply for your pension you should:
Check your Contribution Statement
Review your contribution statement and ensure that your social insurance record is complete and correct. This will help to accurately process your pension.
The quickest and easiest way to request your contribution statement is through MyWelfare. All you need is a verified MyGovID account. You can get a verified MyGovID account if you have a Public Services Card, a verified mobile phone number and an email address.
How to calculate your state pension
You can estimate your rate of State Pension (Contributory) using your Contribution Statement. Learn how to calculate your State Pension (Contributory) rate.
Check if Pension Caring Supports help you qualify
Pension Caring Supportscan help you qualify for State Pension (Contributory) or improve your rate of payment. You should apply for Pension Caring Supports where you were living in Ireland, and you were providing full-time care for:
- a child who was under 12 years of age at the time the care was provided; or
- any person who required an increased level of care
Once your application has been submitted, you will be assessed for all Pension Caring Supportswhich apply to your circumstances. This may include Long-Term Carers Contribution Periods, HomeCaring Periods or the Homemaker’s Scheme.
All you need is a verified MyGovID account. You can get a verified MyGovID account if you have a Public Services Card, a verified mobile phone number and an email address.
Check all self-employment has been recorded
If you have been self-employed, you should ensure that your self-employment is accurately recorded on your contribution statement. It is a condition of State Pension (Contributory), to have settled all self-employed contributions which you are liable for, before you can be considered eligible for this pension. If outstanding liabilities from self-employment activity have not been settled in advance of the date you have requested to claim your State Pension (Contributory), your payment can only start from the date of settlement, provided you meet the other conditions needed to qualify for State Pension (Contributory).
Please contact Revenue if you have any queries regarding this. You should still submit your application for State Pension while you are waiting on a response from Revenue, so that your application will be registered.
Note on Carer’s Allowance
If you have an entitlement to a State Pension you may also receive half rate Carer's Allowance for as long as you continue to satisfy the qualifying conditions. If you are currently getting full rate Carer’s Allowance, and you qualify for State Pension, the department will only award the pension, if it is more financially beneficial to you. You should apply for State Pension, in the normal way, and the department will adjust your Carer’s Allowance payment for you.
Note on Invalidity Pension
If you are getting an Invalidity Pension from the department at age 66, you will automatically transfer to State Pension (Contributory). Any allowances that are currently in payment on your Invalidity Pension will also transfer to your State Pension (Contributory).
You do not need to make an application for State Pension.
How to apply for your pension
Apply for your State Pension
You can apply 6 months before you intend to claim your pension.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for State pension is through MyWelfare, and you can apply for one or both State pensions at the same time. If you qualify for both, the department will award you the higher payment.
To apply through MyWelfare, all you need is a verified MyGovID account. You can get a verified MyGovID account if you have a Public Services Card , a verified mobile phone number and an email address.
Learn how to sign up for MyGovID here.
Alternatively, you can print and complete an application form for State Pension (Contributory) or State Pension (Non-contributory), or both, depending on your circumstances.
You can also get this form from your local:
- Intreo Office or social welfare branch office
- post office
How to apply on MyWelfare
State Pension (Contributory)
State Pension (Non-contributory)
Extra allowances and benefits
Free Travel
You will qualify for the Free Travel Scheme at age 66 if you reside in the State. If you apply for a State Pension before you reach 66 you do not need to submit a separate application.
If you do not have a Public Services Card, please go to www.gov.ie/PSC for more information. However, you will need to register for a Public Services Card to get your Free Travel Card, please contact your local PSC Centre to make an appointment.
In addition, these are some of the other allowances you may be eligible for.
- Household Benefits
- Fuel Allowance
- Increase for a Qualified Adult
- Increase for a Qualified Child
- Living Alone Increase
- Living on a Specified Island
Your Guide to our Schemes and Services: Retired and Older People
In this guide, you will get an overview of some of the main ways the department can support you as you get older. You will also find information to help you to access these supports. Issue January 2024, updated May 8, 2024.
