Processing a Spouses Pension for Award and Payment

The first few things that would need to be established are ;

• what pension scheme the member was in [this depends on when they joined the PDF i.e. pre-2004, post-2004, Single Scheme etc.]
• whether they are married and the name and address details of any spouse/children of the member [a legal marriage certificate is required in the case of a spouse pension as a pension is only payable to a legally married spouse or civil partner; a birth certificate is required in the case of a child]
• whether they are a member of the Spouses and Children’s Scheme, and which Scheme (the Original Scheme, or the Revised Scheme introduced in 1985).

Please see the following two links to the Department of Defence website;

https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/f65fb1-defence-forces-pension-information/ – this is a link to the Defence Forces Pensions Information page, and includes booklets on the different DF pension schemes,  as well as contact details for the Pensions Administration Section in the Department.

https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/37144/f93eec50d63049ac8a9276ee84926098.pdf#page=1 – this is a link to information (on the above DOD website page) regarding a limited appeal process in relation to the options for the Spouse and Children’s Schemes, as well as some background to the options and the two Schemes.

The following certificates and forms would be required to be completed and returned in order to process a pension for award and payment.

For a spouse/widow’s pension application ;

• Completed Spouse/Widow’s application form.
• Original State Marriage Certificate (long version)(available from The Office of the Registrar General Office, Government Offices, Convent Rd., Roscommon.
• (0906632911), Lo Call 1890252076.)
• Spouse’s original Birth Certificate, if their date of birth is not shown on the Marriage Certificate.
• Bank authorisation forms, in respect of pension to be paid.
• Pension Declaration form (as required by subsection 5(1) of the Appropriation Act, 1962).
• Declaration under Section 51 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.  This is required from any person who is applying for a benefit from a public service pension scheme.

For a child’s pension application ;

• Completed Child application form.
• Child’s original Birth Certificate
• Completed form verifying child is in fulltime education (if over the age of 16)  [an official letter from the school/college giving evidence of attendance in fulltime education from the age of 16 is required]
• Bank authorisation forms, in respect of pension to be paid.
• Pension Declaration form (as required by subsection 5(1) of the Appropriation Act, 1962).
• Declaration under Section 51 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.  This is required from any person who is applying for a benefit from a public service pension scheme.