The following rules apply if you live and have worked in one or more EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

• In each country, your insurance record is preserved until you reach the pensionable age.

• Every country where you have been insured for at least one year will pay you an old-age pension, when you reach its national pensionable age.

Example

I worked as a teacher in Durham for approximately twelve years commencing in the 1980s. I then obtained a position in a school in Waterford where I remained until now. Since I am approaching retirement, I wonder how to ensure that the period I worked in the UK is taken into account in calculating my pension.

Can you advise?

You are entitled to a separate pension from every country where you were insured for at least one year. In your case, you will be entitled to pensions from the UK and from Ireland. The amount you receive from each country will be proportionate to your periods of insured employment in each country. The respective pensions will be paid when you reach pensionable age for the country concerned. The pensions will be paid wherever you reside in the EU.

In order to obtain further information in relation to the UK pension to which you will be entitled, I recommend that you contact the Department of Social Security, Benefits Agency, Pensions and Overseas Benefits Directorate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE 98 1YX. The telephone number is 0044 191 225 7180.

Even if you have worked in several countries, you should apply for your pension in the country where you live, unless you never worked there. In the latter case, you should apply in the country where you last worked.