State Pension (Non-Contributory)

Updated for 2026 DSP rates.

What is State Pension (Non-Contributory)?

The State Pension (Non-Contributory) is a means-tested weekly payment for people aged 66 and over who do not qualify for the full State Pension (Contributory) or who qualify for a lower rate. It is administered by the DSP.

2026 Weekly Rates

Means Test

The DSP assesses your total income, including:

• Cash income: employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance
• Capital and savings: the first €20,000 is disregarded; capital between €20,000 and €40,000 is assessed at €1 per week per €1,000; capital over €40,000 is assessed at €2 per week per €1,000
• Property: your own home is not counted; any other property that is not your main residence may be assessed

If you have a spouse or partner, their income is also taken into account. The first €200 of your spouse's average weekly earnings is disregarded, and 60% of earnings between €200 and €300 is disregarded.

The maximum rate of €288.00 is paid where your weekly means are €30 or less. The rate reduces as means increase, with a reduced rate available up to certain means limits.

Living Alone Increase

You may get an extra €22.00 per week if you live alone. This is paid automatically if the DSP knows you live alone.

How to Apply

You can apply up to 3 months before your 66th birthday. Apply online at MyWelfare.ie or at your local DSP Intreo Centre. You will need:

• Your PPS number and proof of identity
• Details of all income, savings, and investments
• Bank statements (last 3 months)
• Details of any occupational or private pension

Important Notes

• You must be habitually resident in Ireland
• You cannot get both State Pension (Contributory) and State Pension (Non-Contributory) — you will get the higher one you qualify for
• If you are getting a reduced Contributory Pension, you may qualify for a Non-Contributory Pension top-up

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2026 rates and the means test

The maximum State Pension (Non-Contributory) in 2026 is €288.00 per week for people aged 66-79 and €298.00 for those aged 80 and over. The payment is means-tested: the DSP assesses your cash income (employment, occupational pensions, maintenance), your savings and investments, and any property other than your own home. The capital test disregards the first €20,000 of savings; capital between €20,000 and €40,000 is assessed at €1 per week per €1,000, and capital above €40,000 at €2 per week per €1,000. The maximum rate is paid where your weekly means are €30 or less, reducing as means rise. Because the Contributory pension (up to €299.30 in 2026) is almost always higher, most people claim it first and use the Non-Contributory pension as the fallback while their contributory claim is assessed.

How the payment is reduced

Every euro of weekly means above the disregard reduces your pension. For example, an occupational pension of €150 a week reduces the payment directly, and savings of €50,000 are assessed at €2 per week per €1,000 above €40,000 — so €10,000 over the threshold adds €20 to your weekly means and reduces the pension by €20. This means people with modest private pensions often receive a partial Non-Contributory pension rather than none at all. If you sell a house or receive an inheritance, tell the DSP immediately — your payment will change, and overpayments must be repaid.

Extras available to recipients

Recipients qualify for the same extras as contributory pensioners: the Living Alone Allowance (€22 a week), the Over-80 Allowance (€10, included in the €298 rate), the Household Benefits Package (electricity/gas allowance of €1.15 a day plus a free TV licence), and the seasonal Fuel Allowance (€38 a week for 28 weeks). You can also keep some part-time earnings without losing the pension: the first €30 a week of casual employment income is disregarded, which supports phased retirement. The Christmas Bonus (a double week) is paid each December to long-term recipients.

Applying and appealing

Apply up to 3 months before your 66th birthday at mywelfare.ie or your Intreo Centre, with your PPS number, ID, 3 months of bank statements and details of all income and assets. If you are refused or get a lower rate than expected, you can ask for a review or appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days — around half of all appeals succeed, often because documents were missing rather than because the decision was wrong. A local Citizens Information Centre can help you prepare the appeal free of charge.

Action steps

• Gather bank statements, pension statements and property details before applying — accuracy speeds up the decision.
• If you are short of the 520 contributions for the Contributory pension, check voluntary contributions first — they usually beat the means test.
• Report any change in income, savings or address within days.
• If refused, appeal within 21 days — most refusals are overturned on review.