Spouses who work together were urged today to check their eligibility for a State pension.
Minster for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin today launched a new information leaflet aimed at couples who work together in a "commercial partnership".
Ms Hanafin said it was particularly important for women who have contributed to such partnerships but may not realise that they could be covered for a contributory pension.
The scheme allows spouses to be brought into the social insurance system by incurring a a liability to pay self-employed PRSI and then build up their entitlements towards a contributory State Pension and other social welfare benefits.
Ms Hanafin said where applicants could demonstrate that they have been working with their spouse in a partnership for a number of years, their PRSI liability would be backdated. "Of course they will have to pay the Department of Social and Family Affairs any such PRSI liability before an application for a pension can be considered".
However, the Minister encouraged any considering these options to seek professional advice on the issue first. "Every family is different and couples need to be sure that business partnership is right for them," she said.
She said that wives often make just as much of a contribution to the running of a farm or business as their husbands even though their names may not be on the deeds. "Over the past number of years we have made great strides in bring more people, particulary women into the social insurance system so that their pension entitlements can be secured".
The new leaflet
Working with your spouse: how it affects your social welfare contributions and entitlements(SW124) is available at local Social Welfare Offices or online at
www.welfare.ie