Arising from the Public Sector Pay Commission, the rate of Military Service Allowance was increased w.e.f. 04 July 2019.
Following an ARCOIreland submission, dated 30 July 2019, ARCOIreland was advised by the Private Secretary to the Minister, in a letter dated 10 December 2019, that the MSA increase would be reflected in military pensions of personnel retiring on or after 04 July 2019.
ARCOIreland submitted an interim response on 16 December 2019.
In the context of the wider Defence Forces Community, please find attached a covering letter with the associated annex, advancing the case that the MSA increase should be applied, as appropriate, to the military pensions of Defence Forces personnel who retired prior to 03 July 2019, and to those of eligible spouses or civil partners. Both documents were sent through An Post to all recipients on 15 January 2020.
ARCOIreland strongly contends that a decision not to apply the MSA increase to military pensions already in payment would be inconsistent with the Government’s stated policy to: “Support our veterans for the public service and outstanding contribution they have made to the State”.
