The over 70's scheme is assessed on gross income and the savings disregard is 36,000 for a single person and 72,000 for a couple anything in excess of that is assessed at a notional rate of 1.64% as I checked the current rate with the office.
Assessment of income. The gross income limit for the over-70s medical card is €500 per week for a single person and €900 per week for couples who are married, cohabiting or in a civil partnership. These limits were reduced from the previous limits, of €600 and €1,200 per week, from 1 January 2014.