See below from Budget 2004
MEASURES AFFECTING NEW ENTRANTS TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE
For
new entrants to the public service, the following measures will be introduced with effect from 1 April 2004, except in those cases where, for legal or technical reasons, a later commencement date is required.
The minimum pension age will be increased to 65 for the generality of new entrants to the public service , including
- civil servants
- staff in education (including primary and second level teachers)
- staff in local government (including officers in the Fire Service)
- staff in the health services (including psychiatric staff employed under the Mental Treatment Act) and
- staff in non-commercial State Sponsored bodies.
The compulsory retirement age of 65 will be removed for
new entrants , enabling staff to remain in work should they wish, subject to suitability and health requirements. Pension benefits for new entrants will accrue on a standard basis (i.e. one year's credit for one year's service up to a maximum of 40 years' service). For some categories (psychiatric nurses and others covered by the Mental Treatment Act and officers in the Fire Service), this means that the doubling of service after 20 years for pension purposes (effectively allowing a full pension to be obtained after 30 years' service rather than the standard 40 years) will not apply to people recruited on or after 1 April 2004.
The minimum pension age will be increased to
65 for
members of the Oireachtas and Office Holders elected or appointed
on or after 1 April 2004 . There will be no changes in the pension accrual rate for this group.
The minimum pension age will be increased to
55 for
new entrant Gardaí and Prison Officers and in the case of
Gardaí, the compulsory retirement age for
new entrants will be increased to 60, subject to annual health and fitness certification after age 55. The current minimum pension age of 55 for
Fire-fighters will be retained for new entrants. There will be no changes in the pension accrual rate for this group.
As recommended by the Commission, a new pension scheme will be designed for
new entrants to the
Defence Forces . This will include a minimum pension
age of 50 and the accrual of maximum pension over 30 years.
It is estimated that the annual savings , which will arise from the introduction of these pension changes,
will be of the order of €300 million in current terms in 30-40 years time , with some savings being realised earlier than that.
It is emphasised that these changes do not in any way affect existing staff or pensioners.
The public service unions will be fully informed as to the details of the implementation of the reforms in advance of their introduction
for new entrants on 1 April 2004.