What’s the minimum number of EU contributions that can be used to qualify for state pension contributory?

[ClubMan]

Any use?

Combining social insurance contributions from abroad

Combining social insurance contributions paid in Ireland and abroad can help you qualify for a social welfare payment. Find out more.

www.citizensinformation.ie

S.I. No. 243/1993 - Social Welfare (Agreement With The United States of America on Social Security) Order, 1993.

The electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB) comprises the Acts of the Oireachtas (Parliament), Statutory Instruments, Legislation Directory, Constitution and a limited number of pre-1922 Acts.

www.irishstatutebook.ie

 

[Sybilla]

Hi - I am a bit late replying but I was looking into this recently for myself.

There is an agreement between the US and Ireland. Your Irish PRSI contributions can bring you up to the 40 minimum (10 years) required for a pro-rata US SS pension. The amount is likely to be low due to how they calculate the pro-rata, based on my attempts to calculate for my 6 years. The pension is based on average indexed earnings over 35 years and then pro-rated based on number of years. This seems to penalise twice since potential pension already low due to low average earnings, but according to AI that is how it is calculated (for what thats worth!).
The pro-rating seems to go away once the minimum 10 years/ 40 quarters in reached.

It won’t help towards Irish entitlement since you are over the minimum 520 credits.