K stamps not recognised because I was paying D stamps half time

[claireloughnane]

I have worked in the public sector for about 35 years paying a D stamp, but for approximately 28 years I worked half time. I have also worked for myself as a sole trader for the last fifteen years during "my week off" paying a K stamp. I hope to retire next year from my public service job but I seem to be getting a pension only for "my week on" i.e. half a pension. Is there a way I can use my K stamp contributions to enhance my pension?

 

[gipimann]

Your public service pension is based on your service, not your prsi contributions. For each year you were in employment, you accumulated 6 months service.

There are no SW entitlements associated with class k prsi.

Social insurance classes

The social welfare benefits you can get are determined by the PRSI Class you are in. An overview of social insurance classes.

www.citizensinformation.ie

 

[S class]

What age will you be at retirement ?

When you cease your PS employment your self employment income will convert to class S which is reckonable for the Contributory state pension.
You can gain these reckonable contributions up to the time you claim the contributory pension or up to your 70th birthday.

If you gain 260 full rate paid contributions you could qualify for a pro rata calculated pension.

If you gain 520 full rate paid contributions you could qualify for a partial pension calculated under averaging or total contribution method.