The Irish/UK Social Security Agreement – SW123: What You Need to Know
The Irish/UK Social Security Agreement, also known as SW123, is a bilateral agreement between Ireland and the United Kingdom that came into effect on January 1, 2007. It governs the social security rights of individuals who work or have worked in both countries and ensures that they are not disadvantaged by having to contribute to social security in both countries.
The agreement applies to Irish and UK citizens, as well as citizens of other countries who have lived and worked in Ireland and the UK. It covers a range of social security benefits, including pensions, disability benefits, and healthcare.
One of the key benefits of the Irish/UK Social Security Agreement is that it allows individuals who have paid social security contributions in both countries to count their contributions towards meeting the eligibility requirements for certain benefits. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have moved between Ireland and the UK multiple times during their working lives.
For example, if you have worked and paid social security contributions in Ireland for a number of years, and then moved to the UK and worked there for a few years, you may be eligible for a UK state pension. Under the agreement, your social security contributions in Ireland can be used to help meet the eligibility requirements for the UK state pension.
Similarly, if you have worked and paid social security contributions in the UK, and then moved to Ireland and worked there for a few years, you may be eligible for an Irish state pension. Under the agreement, your social security contributions in the UK can be used to help meet the eligibility requirements for the Irish state pension.
The agreement also covers healthcare, which can be an important consideration for individuals who need to access medical treatment in both countries. Under the agreement, individuals who are eligible for healthcare in one country can also access healthcare in the other country, subject to certain conditions.
It`s worth noting that the Irish/UK Social Security Agreement does not cover all social security benefits. For example, it does not cover unemployment benefits or child benefit. However, there are separate agreements in place between Ireland and the UK for some of these benefits.
If you think you may be eligible for social security benefits under the Irish/UK Social Security Agreement, it`s important to check your eligibility with the relevant authorities in both countries. The rules for eligibility can be complex, and it`s important to ensure that you understand your rights and entitlements.
In summary, the Irish/UK Social Security Agreement – SW123 is an important bilateral agreement between Ireland and the UK that helps to ensure that individuals who have worked in both countries are not disadvantaged when it comes to social security benefits. If you think you may be eligible for benefits under the agreement, it`s important to check your eligibility with the relevant authorities.