Hi all, I have been working towards early retirement for the last few years. I am a teacher age 54 and will hit the top of the salary scale on my next birthday in January -€78,390. I am considering going in 3 or 4 more school years after this year (retiring in September 2027 or September 2028). I will have a pension from a previous employment as well as my teachers pension and I have AVC which will bridge the gap until age 60 when I can claim the supplementary pension. My figures for age... Read more ..read more

Hi I worked in the public sector and left in 2006, as I relocated. I left on a Grade 4 LSI 1. I would have worked since 1990 in private practices but then in 1999 joined the public service, worked as a grade 3 for a year and then moved to grade 4 where I started on point 5 of the scale. I have returned now to the public sector but back in at a Grade 3 clerical officer and was placed on point 12 of the new scale. Does anyone know if this is correct as I would have had more years and points... Read more ..read more

I am currently working in Civil Service. I would like to start an AVC to reduce the tax I pay and if possible retire early. Which is the best AVC currently available in Ireland? Which broker is the best and cheapest option, for joining this AVC? Corn Market / National Pension Helpline / Any other? Which firm would you recommend ..read more

I have been thinking of going to PSRA (expertadvice.ie) to advise me about taking out AVCs for my pension. They claim to be totally impartial financial advisors for public sector employees. I'm wondering if anyone knows if they are as good as their claim ..read more

"In general, only schemes for commercial State bodies have a dedicated fund to meet pension liabilities. Schemes in the non-commercial public sector, such as the civil service, local government, education, Gardaí, prison services and health services are financed on a 'pay as you go' basis." HI. the above was a topic of discussion recently and there was a difference of opinion in the source of civil service pensions already in payment. One said, they assumed there was a pension fund... Read more ..read more

Purchased 2.17 years notional service over 3 years between my 57th and 60th Birthday. Looking like I might stay another couple of years. If I was to stay till 62.5, would there be any actuarial increase in the pension. The document covering the scheme is linked below, but it does not consider this circumstance as far as I can tell. https://assets.gov.ie/14921/e4b49cdbb311495e83adb6cec8ac0bab.pdf ..read more

Question for a friend in the CS - they just got a statement for purchasing notional service and they have approx 16 years left until retirement. The annual payent works out at 700 per year for the 16 years - the lump sum payment (one off) is 17k - which is more expsnive. Can ayone explain this? I would have thought it would be cheaper to pay it all up front now ..read more

I have worked in the public service for the last 26 years, but have 18 years service for pension purposes as I took a 2 year career break to travel in my 20's, a 3 year career break to care for my grandmother (who raised me) in my 30's and took some reduced hours/unpaid leave when my children were very young - all right decisions, but have added up. I'm now 51 and really don't want to be working until I am 70 (besides that there is a physical element to the job that I can't imagine being... Read more ..read more

I retired in October 2021. I was 60 years old. Most of my career was in the public service where I obtained ‘D’contributions. After retirement from the public service in 2021 I worked for 2 weeks in private industry paying an 'A' contribution stamp. Firstly, my understanding was by working two weeks after retirement at 'A' contributions that I was entitled to convert some of my D contributions to A's. Is this correct? Secondly I am signing on yearly for credits and they are giving me 'M'... Read more ..read more

I sent in my application on 3rd April 2023, so basically 1 year tomorrow. It's been 'in progress' for about 2 months. Is there any way to contact them by phone ..I don't know if it would help. I can't see which number to ring. My friend did it too and got a reply some time ago. Are others waiting this long ..read more