Source:  Citizens Information A Public Services Card is usually issued when you are allocated a PPS number. If you apply for, or are currently getting a social welfare payment (including Child Benefit) you will be asked to register for your Public Services Card. The card is replacing the Social Services Card used to collect social welfare Read more >

The pension system in Ireland is a multi faceted and sometimes complex one.  However over recent years moves have been made to make the process of planning and applying for both pension entitlements and setting up private pension funds an easier one for everybody. Broadly speaking most people’s pensions come from one or more of Read more >

Moving within Europe – Which country will pay my old-age pension? Claiming your pension can seem complicated if you live on one side of the border and have worked on the other side, or if you have worked on both sides. The following page on Your Europe explains entitlement, how cross-border pensions are calculated and Read more >

In general all income arising from pensions is subject to taxation. Occupational pensions An occupational pension is subject to tax under the PAYE system in exactly the same way as your salary was taxed.  However, if your pension comes from outside Ireland you will usually pay tax in a lump sum annually. State pension The Read more >

When you reach State Pension age you no longer pay National Insurance Contributions, but you don’t automatically stop paying Income Tax. Source: Gov.uk You pay tax if your total annual income adds up to more than your Personal Allowance. Find out about your Personal Allowance and Income Tax rates. Your total income could include: the Read more >

*New regulations have been introduced to extend eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment in Northern Ireland to all pensioners from winter 2025/2026, aligning the rules with those already in place in England and Wales.* Taking effect on 15 September 2025, the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (SR.No.142/2025) revoke and replace both Read more >

Free Travel is available for people aged 66 or over resident in the Republic of Ireland and to people aged under 66 also resident in the State who are in receipt of certain disability-type social welfare payments or carer’s allowance  It allows you to use public transport, and a large number of private bus and Read more >

If you are 60 or over you may be entitled to concessionary travel on bus and railway journeys within Northern Ireland, if you are over 65 your travel pass will also include journeys across the border. 60+SmartPass To be eligible you must be aged between 60 and 64 and have been resident in Northern Ireland Read more >

A winter fuel allowance is available to households in Ireland who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. A Fuel Allowance is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating your home. It is paid to people who are dependant on long-term social welfare or Health Service Read more >

There are a number of welfare payments available to retired and older people living in Ireland. State Pensions The State Pension (Contributory) is paid to people from the age of 66 who have enough Irish social insurance contributions. It is not means-tested. The State Pension (Non-Contributory) is means tested may be paid from age 66 Read more >