Irish nationals who have spent time working abroad may qualify for some social security and pension entitlements here and in the state in which they worked. If social security contributions were paid in the Republic and their former or present state of residence, they may qualify for certain benefits and pensions. These benefits are available in states with which the Republic has bilateral pension agreements - Switzerland, Austria, the United States, Canada, Quebec, Australia and New Zealand.

These agreements protect the pension rights of Irish people who go to work in these states and they protect employees from those states who work in the Republic. Ireland also has an agreement with the UK which covers non-EU nationals and residents of the Isle of Man.

Most recently, the Republic signed a bilateral pension agreement with Switzerland. Similar to the other agreements, Irish benefits covered include old age contributory pension, retirement pension, invalidity pension, widows and widower's (contributory) pension and orphan's (contributory) pension allowance. Benefits covered in Switzerland are old age pension, survivor's pension, invalidity pension, sickness cash benefit and maternity cash benefit.

Recipients of a Swiss social security pension living in the Republic are now entitled to apply for the following free schemes: travel, electricity allowance, telephone rental allowance, television licence and fuel allowance.

For more information on bilateral agreements contact the International Records Section, Social Welfare Services Office, (01) 874 8444.