Hi, My husband has been on illness benefit for about 10 years after an accident at work. This was before they changed it to a max of 2 years. Does anyone know if (he is 54 now) he is still on it when he retires, would he get a contributory or non contributory pension?
The State Pension (Contributory), previously called the Old Age (Contributory) Pension, is payable to people aged 66 and over who have worked and paid enough social insurance contributions.
The State Pension (Non-Contributory) previously called the Old Age Non-Contributory Pension is a means-tested payment available to people in Ireland aged 66 and over.
www.citizensinformation.ie
Or just ask SW. They're generally very helpful in my experience.
If he's likely to remain unable to work because of his illness (or injury) until retirement age, then you should consider investigating how to have him switched to an invalidity pension which would automatically see him moving onto the Contributory Pension at age 67.