I read your article about the farmers who missed out on an increased State pension. My husband paid the full 10 years of contributions, but missed out on the full State contributory pension. The reason is he didn’t pay the last contribution before his 66th birthday. He got a half pension of €125.20 at the time and I have been getting €103.20 as a dependent adult since. We are both 80. We both have €70,000 in savings and my husband does a bit of work and gets €100 a week. Is there any options to increase what we get from the State pension?

You story has one important message for everyone: it is vital to make sure PRSI contributions are paid up and allocated to the right year. I talked to the Department of Social Welfare about this and it was clear that it is the contribution you have when you reach the pensionable age. The big question for you is: can you apply for the State non-contributory pension in your own right? Another question to ask is: could you husband also apply for it and get more than he is currently getting?