An occupational supplementary pension is a potential HSE benefit. If payable, it aims to bridge the gap between the pension you currently receive as a class A PRSI contributor (while employed), and the pension you would have received as a class D PRSI contributor.
Eligibility criteria
To qualify for a supplementary pension, you must meet the following conditions.
You must:
- have paid class A PRSI while employed
- be receiving a pension benefit from the HSE Employee Superannuation Scheme
- not be in paid full-time employment or self-employed
- have reached the minimum retirement age (age 60 for non-new entrants or age 65 for new entrants) or retired on health grounds
If you have not reached State Pension age (currently 66)
You must not have applied to the Department of Social Protection for a social welfare payment and either failed to qualify, or qualified for a reduced rate due to reasons outside your control.
If you have reached State Pension age
You must have applied for a social welfare payment (State Pension Contributory) and either didn't qualify or qualified for a reduced rate due to reasons outside your control.
Social welfare payments from the Department of Social Protection include:
- State Pension Contributory
- Jobseekers Benefit
- Illness Benefit
- Invalidity Pension
- Benefit payment at 65
New and non-new entrants
In general, you're a non-new entrant if you started working in the public sector before 1 April 2004. You're a new entrant if you started working in the public sector on or after 1 April 2004.
Non-new entrants working in Mental Health who entered to the Section 65 register have a minimum retirement age of 55 and the supplementary pension can be paid from that date.
Supplementary pension allowance
The supplementary pension allowance is the difference between your:
- PRSI class A HSE pension, plus
- any social welfare or reduced social welfare payment you're getting, and
- PRSI class D pension (where no coordination with the State Pension Contributory is applied as if you paid PRSI class D during your employment)
Applying for supplementary pension
The following process applies to new applications from 1 August 2024.
If you have not reached the State Pension age (currently 66):
- You must decide if you intend to apply to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) for a social welfare payment.
- If you decide not to apply for payment of social welfare benefits, or if you fail to qualify or qualify at a reduced rate, then you can apply for payment of a supplementary pension from your pension area office.
- Your pension area office will need the following documents:
- HSE supplementary pension application form
- if you have applied for payment of social welfare benefits you should include documentation from DSP confirming no entitlement, or reduced entitlement to a social welfare payment
If you have reached the State Pension age (currently 66):
- You must apply to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) for payment of the State Pension Contributory.
- If you fail to qualify for payment of the State Pension Contributory, or qualify at a reduced rate, you can apply for payment of a supplementary pension from your pension area office.
- Your pension area office will need the following documents:
- HSE supplementary pension application form
- documentation from DSP confirming no entitlement, or reduced entitlement to a social welfare payment
When payments end
The State Pension Contributory will become payable when you turn 66, the current eligibility age.
If you are eligible for a supplementary pension, it will end the day before you turn 66. You may reapply for payment if you do not qualify or qualify at a reduced rate for a State Pension Contributory payment (provided you meet the eligibility criteria).
If your circumstances change, or there is an error or omission on your application form, the supplementary pension may be stopped or the amount may change.
Further information
Circulars detailing how to apply for and administer an Occupational Supplementary Pension (OSP) with effect from 1 August 1 2024:
HR Circular 018 2024 Arrangements for Occupational Supplementary Pensions (OSP) - HSE.ie
Circular 12/2024 Arrangements for Occupational Supplementary Pensions (OSP) - gov.ie (you should read this circular in full before applying for a supplementary pension).