My father received a letter from the Social Welfare Services Office (the State pension department) about my mother's pension. There was a questionnaire with it to be completed and returned within 21 days. It's purpose is to see if my mother qualifies for the Contributory State Pension Increase.
She may be are in a bit of bother though because I think she has been receiving the non-contributory pension instead of the contributory pension.
My father has been receiving the contributory pension because he has paid income tax all his working life. I think my mother applied for the non-contributory pension but has not been paying tax because she retired years ago. It was 22 years ago when she applied so when she filled in the form she must have made a mistake or told a lie (I don't know which) saying that she didn't have any money in any accounts etc. She is not entitled to that pension now and has not been entitled to it in the 22 years before that either it seems.
So in the form it asks for details about bank account balances etc. My parents have three bank accounts with over €50000 in each of them (one in the soon-to-be defunct Ulster Bank, one in BOI and one in the Credit Union). But they are joint bank accounts and that is the cause of the problem. Her accountant said if we move all that money into two separate accounts (one in my mother's name and one in my father's name) and make sure that my mother's account has less than €20000 then we can then complete the from stating that and everything will be AOK. Her solicitor said that she can't really do that because that is committing fraud.
There is also an added issue in that my parent's own land and that is also in both their name's I think. I am now just wondering will the Department of Social Welfare attempt to claim back the pension that she claimed for the past 22 years and will the pension she gets from now on be reduced or terminated completely.
Her solicitor said if the former happens she could be liable to pay back a five figure or six figure sum. I know they have those three accounts with a fair bit of money in them but they may have to go into a retirement home at some stage in the future and that would be quite expensive. They are not flat broke, I accept that, I am not saying my mother should get away with not paying back something she was not entitled to in the first place (just in case someone attacks me for trying to get away with fraud). I just want to know is it likely she could be pursued for the pension she has been given? And will her future pension be affected. I'd pay the repayment myself if it was an amount I could afford, I have some money put away, there might be enough in there. I just don't want my parents to be fleeced, I'd like to know the likely amount.
She may be are in a bit of bother though because I think she has been receiving the non-contributory pension instead of the contributory pension.
My father has been receiving the contributory pension because he has paid income tax all his working life. I think my mother applied for the non-contributory pension but has not been paying tax because she retired years ago. It was 22 years ago when she applied so when she filled in the form she must have made a mistake or told a lie (I don't know which) saying that she didn't have any money in any accounts etc. She is not entitled to that pension now and has not been entitled to it in the 22 years before that either it seems.
So in the form it asks for details about bank account balances etc. My parents have three bank accounts with over €50000 in each of them (one in the soon-to-be defunct Ulster Bank, one in BOI and one in the Credit Union). But they are joint bank accounts and that is the cause of the problem. Her accountant said if we move all that money into two separate accounts (one in my mother's name and one in my father's name) and make sure that my mother's account has less than €20000 then we can then complete the from stating that and everything will be AOK. Her solicitor said that she can't really do that because that is committing fraud.
There is also an added issue in that my parent's own land and that is also in both their name's I think. I am now just wondering will the Department of Social Welfare attempt to claim back the pension that she claimed for the past 22 years and will the pension she gets from now on be reduced or terminated completely.
Her solicitor said if the former happens she could be liable to pay back a five figure or six figure sum. I know they have those three accounts with a fair bit of money in them but they may have to go into a retirement home at some stage in the future and that would be quite expensive. They are not flat broke, I accept that, I am not saying my mother should get away with not paying back something she was not entitled to in the first place (just in case someone attacks me for trying to get away with fraud). I just want to know is it likely she could be pursued for the pension she has been given? And will her future pension be affected. I'd pay the repayment myself if it was an amount I could afford, I have some money put away, there might be enough in there. I just don't want my parents to be fleeced, I'd like to know the likely amount.