Information
The Pre-Retirement Allowance (PRETA) is for people in Ireland aged 55 and
over who have left the labour force. It is means-tested and you no longer have
to sign-on as you do not need to be available for work.
Since 4 July 2007, no new applications for Pre-Retirement Allowance
are accepted. However, if you were getting Pre-Retirement Allowance
before 4 July 2007 you are not affected and can continue to get it.
Rules
In order to qualify, you must
(a) Be aged between 55 and 66
(b) Retire from the workforce
(c) Either
- have been getting Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance for 15
months or,
- no longer getting One-Parent Family Payment or Carer's Allowance or,
- be a separated spouse who has not been working in the previous 15 months.
(e) Pass a means
test
(The means test is similar to the means test for Jobseeker's Allowance).
Working while on Pre-Retirement Allowance
You cannot work and get PRETA.
However, there are exceptions, if you are getting PRETA for 12 months or
longer you are eligible for either the Back to Work
Allowance or Back
to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme. Smallholders (farmers) may earn money
from their holding and get PRETA, provided they pass the means test.
You do not have to sign on if you are getting PRETA.