What should I do for the next few years before retirement?

Nope. It’s very odd. But actually I did take some parental leave another year but it was 3 days a week for a few weeks so no impact there.
 
Annieindublin said:
But actually I did take some parental leave another year but it was 3 days a week for a few weeks so no impact there.
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Even if there was an impact, credits are probably available.

Parental leave

The Parental Leave Acts 1998-2019 allow parents to take 26 weeks parental leave from employment, up until their child’s 12th birthday.
www.citizensinformation.ie www.citizensinformation.ie

What happens to my social insurance contributions?​

You can get credited PRSI contributions while you are taking parental leave. Credited PRSI contributions can protect your social insurance record and your entitlement to benefits in the future.

Your employer must write to the Client Eligibility Services section of Department of Social Protection (DSP), setting out the weeks you have not worked, so that you can get credited PRSI contributions for this time.
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The years I took a few weeks are showing as 52. I’ll see what payroll department tell me.

I’m guessing the years I was in UK will count against me.
 
Yes.
There are gaps, whole years. And then missing weeks too.

There were also 2 years when I took parental leave but that hasn’t had any impact on the number of weeks recorded those years.
 
It’s all looking a bit messy.

The decade in Uk is clear enough. No contributions for those years.

The years where there are 6,7 or 8 weeks missing are periods when I took unpaid leave to mind the kids. I was actually paid as they averaged my salary over the 12 months. Never thought about implications for pensions. It wasn’t parental leave as my kids were above the age threshold under the rules back then.

For some reason someone changed that in 2012 and while I still took some unpaid leave most years I still have 52 contributions for each year since then. I calculated that I will have 1844 contributions by the time I retire.
 
Annieindublin said:
The years where there are 6,7 or 8 weeks missing are periods when I took unpaid leave to mind the kids. I
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You can probably apply for credits for those periods:

Homemaker’s Scheme

A homemaker, under the scheme, is someone who provides full-time care for a child under 12 or an ill or disabled person over 12. It makes it easier to qualify for a higher State Pension Contributory.
www.gov.ie www.gov.ie

Annieindublin said:
For some reason someone changed that in 2012 and while I still took some unpaid leave most years I still have 52 contributions for each year since then
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Not really sure why that would be but since it's all in order I wouldn't worry about it.
Annieindublin said:
I calculated that I will have 1844 contributions by the time I retire.
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Assuming that you work up to 66? If there is no other option to accumulate additional contributions or credits then 1844 would be c. 90% of the full pension. And you probably also qualify for a UK pension - plus the "buyback" scheme discussed at length here?

 
Were you off full weeks during those unpaid leave periods? If not, I would argue that you should have received credits based on the work you did. If you were off full weeks, check if the Home maker's scheme applies - it is a simple form and you get a written response confirming the periods covered.
 
I have the UK pension sorted thanks,

I was mostly off full weeks as far as I can recall. Might have taken the odd call or email but informally only there won’t be any records of that.

I’ll look into the Home makers scheme. Many thanks. Younger kid was born Dec 1997 so I should be able claim it for most of the shortfall years. 2006 to 2010.
 
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I have applied for the home maker credits. It looks like I might miss one year, so 7 credits, kid turned 12.
That just leaves the decade in UK which is sorted more profitably than the same credits would impact here.

I don’t think that working until I’m 66 is an option. My contract is for 65 and they rarely keep people on. I’d happily do part time but not sure that’ll be an option either.

Ideally I’d find a day or two a week elsewhere. Money is less relevant than social welfare credits, but I think if I sign on for job seekers I can get credits anyway can’t I?

I can collect my work pension from age 65.
 
Find something you love and see if you can get part time work doing that. Could you teach an evening class in your profession or your hobby? Tour guide ? Retail work in a product that you love (or would like a deep discount in!)
 
Annieindublin said:
I don’t think that working until I’m 66 is an option. My contract is for 65 and they rarely keep people on. I’d happily do part time but not sure that’ll be an option either.

Ideally I’d find a day or two a week elsewhere. Money is less relevant than social welfare credits, but I think if I sign on for job seekers I can get credits anyway can’t I?
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When the time comes, sign on for this to get both money and credits?

Payment for people who retire at 65

If you retire at 65, you may qualify for a benefit payment until you reach 66. The payment is similar to Jobseeker’s Benefit, but you don’t need to be looking for work or sign on at your local Intreo centre.
www.citizensinformation.ie www.citizensinformation.ie
 
Interestingly the company I work for has shed 4 people recently on their 65th birthday. At least 2 didn’t want to retire but staying on isn’t an option. One wanted reduced hours for a year to build up her pension credits but no was the flat answer. Apparently they don’t want to set a precedent. She was willing to sit in reception answering the phone a day a week, as our receptionist wants to work a 4 day week, they are really determined to clear out the grey hair!

I was able to tell her about the signing on for credits so that was helpful.

But it gives me an idea of where I’ll be in a couple of years.
 
Annieindublin said:
Interestingly the company I work for has shed 4 people recently on their 65th birthday. At least 2 didn’t want to retire but staying on isn’t an option. One wanted reduced hours for a year to build up her pension credits but no was the flat answer. Apparently they don’t want to set a precedent. She was willing to sit in reception answering the phone a day a week, as our receptionist wants to work a 4 day week, they are really determined to clear out the grey hair
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If I were the people concerned, I'd be having a conversation with an employment law specialist since there have been a number of cases over the last 18 months where forced retirement at 65 was found to be age discriminatory.
 
I thought one of them in particular might fight it but he isn’t so maybe they’ve paid him off. Not a lot though as he’s been fairly vocal on his views on forced retirement. He has a fairly senior role too

And there’s been a lot of change in the company so I’d have expected them to be happy to have some continuity. Seems not.
 
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