Age 66 not always a benefit when it comes to State Payments.

Grizzly

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A person has been on Illness benefit for a number of years. Reaches the age of 66 and it stops?

If they do not qualify for a State Pension they get nothing?

If they do not qualify for Invalidity Pension, they get nothing?

If they do not qualify for a non contributory pension they get nothing?

It seems unfair that when a person reaches a certain age and still has the same ailments that they had the year before are cut off from receiving any benefits?
 
I'm a bit puzzled with this. Would the person not qualify for the state pension if they have no means, and if they had means then how did they get illness benefit in the first place?
 
I'm a bit puzzled with this. Would the person not qualify for the state pension if they have no means, and if they had means then how did they get illness benefit in the first place?

My understanding is that you have to qualify for a state pension by having enough "paid" contributions. It's not automatic.

Illness Benefit is not means tested.
 
Normally if someone is on illness benefit for over a year they are called in for a review. In most cases but not all they are transferred to invalidity pension and are therefore automatically entitled to the state contributary pension provided that have at least 260 ppsn paid contributions.
This has only been happening for the last number of years for new entrants to illness benefit.
Those on illness benefit prior to this seem to be left on illness benefit and are not advised of the consequences of not changing to invalidity pension.
If I were you ( provided you have over 260 paid contributions) I would apply immediately for the invalidity pension even if you are over 66. Appeal the decision if necessary. Then go to your local TD and see if he can help.
This is what my wife did and she got her state contributary pension.
 
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In most cases but not all they are transferred to illness pension

Are you getting your terminology mixed up, both in this post and your other recent post? I don't think that there is a product called illness pension nor invalidity benefit.

Are they not called Invalidity Pension and Illness Benefit? It is confusing enough as it is.
 
Yes you are right. It's really confusing. I'll edit my previous posts
Thanks for pointing it out.
 
Illness Benefit is only a short term payment, about 2yrs max
Not necessarily, my wife was on illness benefit since 1995 to date. It seems that those who go on illness benefit for the first time since about 2012 are called in for review and if successful are put on invalidity pension. At age 66 67 or 68 they automatically transfer to the contributary pension if they have 260 paid contributions. Those on illness benefit prior to 2012 are not advised of the consequences of not being on invalidity pension. They do not qualify for the contributary state pension unless they have 520 paid contributions. Credited contributions do not qualify.
 
If they satisfy a means test and meet the habitual residence rules then they should qualify
for a non contributory state pension.
The means test takes into account income of husband, wife, partners etc income including bank accounts, investment income etc
 
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