Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 26

Voluntary contributions by former self-employed contributors

Section 26 sets out the annual voluntary contribution rate for former self-employed contributors and specifies which benefits these contributions count towards.

• Former self-employed contributors who become voluntary contributors under section 24(1)(b) pay a flat rate of €650 per contribution year, with payment timing and method prescribed by the Minister.
• These voluntary contributions only count towards State pension (contributory), bereaved partner's (contributory) pension, and guardian's payment (contributory) — they are disregarded for all other benefits.
• Former voluntary contributors who became self-employed on or after 6 April 1988 may also have contributions count towards State pension (transition) and bereavement grant, provided their prior voluntary contribution rate was determined under a specific formula.
• A single annual voluntary contribution is treated as covering every contribution week within that year, giving the contributor a full year's record.