Retirement with Class A - maintaining PRSI record

Hi, I intend retiring soon but won't have 40 years done. My pension will be integrated - from Department of Education and partly from social welfare.
On retirement I intend applying for unemployment benefit for 9 months rather than supplementary pension. AT the end of the 9 months I'll be on supplementary pension. How do I continue to pay a stamp at this stage? Would you need to work a day a week or what do you need to do? Can you voluntarily pay it?

Thanks so much

You can continue to sign for credits (Class A). The conditions for this are the same as they are for Jobseekers Benefit. Towards the end of the 9 months on JB you should get a letter indicating that your claim is ending and indicating options such as applying for Jobseekers Allowance (means tested) or signing for credits. Signing for credits is usually once a year once set up.

PS. Make sure to apply for the Supplementary as your JB is ending - there is an application form. There is also a form that you will have to get completed and stamped in your local Intreo office once your JB ceases.

Thanks very much

So at the end of my period claiming JSB - even though I'll be changing then to supplementary pension I can sign on for PRSI credits?

Also, can I ask, when I sign on for JSB initially - You do so from the first day you're no longer working? ( you can't do it ahead of the date)

And do you get paid JSB from the first day of not working any more or is there a waiting period when you aren't paid ?

Thanks

Turn up at your local Intreo office the first day after your retirement and claim JSB. You will receive your first payment the following Wednesday at your nominated Post office. If you are over 62 I think they allow direct payment to your Bank a/c.

At the end of your nine months apply for Jobseekers Allowance and Jobseekers credits , you will probably be declined Jobseekers Allowance because you have an occupational pension. Your employer will need evidence that you have been declined the Jobseekers Allowance they will pay the Supplementary pension along with your Occupational pension.

You should be awarded the credits and once a year in September sign on at your local Intreo office.

Signing for credits has no impact on Supplementary eligibility - only a benefit payment does. So apply immediately for Supplementary as your JB is ending.

Apply for JB the first day you finish - or as shortly after as you can. You can't do it ahead of time. There is no payment for the first 3 days. You will have to wait for money until the application is approved but payment is backdated to application.
An applicant can be disqualified from payment for up to 9 weeks if they leave employment voluntarily. But this is v. unlikely in the case of retirement from your current position. You will have an interview - you can indicate that you retired because of exhaustion and stress (can't you?).
On your application you need to indicate that you are looking for full time work. Depending on your age there may or may not be any activation - but no harm in sending off a couple of applications in any case.

Thanks very much. Great information
Isn’t it complicated - or is it only me

I find signing on for credits difficult to understand. I’ll need to do this as I don’t have 40 years worked. And I want to ensure I get the full contributory pension when the time comes! Am I correct in this thinking? I am 64 next birthday


Thanks

blanketyblank said:

I find signing on for credits difficult to understand.

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Signing on for credits​

You can sign on for credits, if you don’t qualify for a jobseeker’s payment or you are a qualified adult on your spouse's, civil partner's or cohabitant's social welfare payment and meet the qualifying conditions.
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You must sign on for credits in your Intreo centre or social welfare local office - see 'Where to apply' below.

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Yes you are correct.
Sign on for credits each year.
You will get credits up to your 66th birthday.

You will have the choice of claiming either suplemtary pension or Benefit Payment 65 after your 65th birthday. Claim whichever gives you the highest amount.

S class said:

You will have the choice of claiming either suplemtary pension or Benefit Payment 65 after your 65th birthday. Claim whichever gives you the highest amount.

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blanketyblank said:

And I want to ensure I get the full contributory pension when the time comes! Am I correct in this thinking? I am 64 next birthday

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Just to clarify further. Your likely sequence is -

1. Retire and claim JB (given your age activation is extremely unlikely to figure at all),
2. Apply for Supplementary as soon as JB ends (get the relevant form OSP 1 here),
3. Remain signed on for Credits when the JB finishes (this doesn't affect the Supplementary).

At 65 the Dept of Ed will likely check with you whether you are getting, or eligible for, the over-65 Benefit Payment (Social Welfare). If you are getting this Benefit your Supplementary will end - you cannot claim both. What I don't know is whether the Dept of Ed will require you to claim the over-65 Benefit (if eligible) or if this is optional. Another poster on the forum seemed to indicate that their employer/pension office required them to apply for the Benefit payment.

4. A few months before your 66th birthday you should apply for your State Pension.

Thanks so much for all the answers. Has helped greatly