State Pension (Contributory)
The PRSI-based State Pension. It is not means-tested. Since January 2024 you can choose to defer it past 66 up to age 70 in exchange for a higher weekly rate.
- Type
- Based on PRSI
- Paid
- Every week
- Taxable
- Yes
- Administered by
- Department of Social Protection
How much is State Pension (Contributory)?
€299.30/week
Drawn down at age 66
| Drawn down at age 67 | €313.40/week |
|---|---|
| Drawn down at age 68 | €328.90/week |
Increases you may also get
| Increase for a qualified adult under 66 (drawn at 66) | €199.40/week |
|---|---|
| Increase for a qualified adult 66 or over (drawn at 66) | €268.40/week |
Budget 2027: from January 2027
Amounts a week. Announced, not yet in force. Until January 2027 you are paid the current rate.
| Rate | Now | From January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Drawn down at age 66 | €299.30 | €309.30 |
| Drawn down at age 67 | €313.40 | Not yet published |
| Drawn down at age 68 | €328.90 | Not yet published |
| Increase for a qualified adult under 66 (drawn at 66) | €199.40 | €206.10 |
| Increase for a qualified adult 66 or over (drawn at 66) | €268.40 | €277.40 |
DSP lists €309.30 a week under age 80 and €319.30 at 80 and over. It does not yet list the higher rates for drawing the pension at 67 or 68.
Read from Department of Social Protection, Budget 2027, checked .
Rates shown are the maximum under the Total Contributions Approach with 2,080 contributions or more. Deferring to 69 or 70 raises the rate further.
Who can get State Pension (Contributory)
- You must be aged 66 or over, or choose to defer up to age 70 for a higher rate.
- You must have started paying PRSI before age 56.
- You need at least 520 paid PRSI contributions (10 years).
- Your rate depends on your total contributions. A transition from the Yearly Average method to the Total Contributions Approach is running from 2025 to 2034.
Is State Pension (Contributory) means tested?
State Pension (Contributory) is not means-tested. Your income, savings and other pensions do not affect it.
Things people get caught by
- Deferring the pension raises the weekly rate permanently. €299.30 at 66 rises to €328.90 at 68.
- If you do not have enough PRSI contributions, the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory) is the alternative.
What else you might get
Payments interact. These are the ones that commonly go with State Pension (Contributory).
- Free Travel
Automatic at 66.
- Household Benefits Package
Automatic at 70; before that if you meet the conditions.
- Living Alone Allowance
If you live alone.
- Fuel Allowance
If you meet the Fuel Allowance means test.