Dáil deputies who retired before the general election or lost their seats have the consolation of a generous pension scheme. Those with ministerial service have further pension entitlements.
Up until July last year, ministers had to serve at least three years before being entitled to a ministerial pension. This has been reduced to two years. The Oireachtas pension scheme was revised in 1992, and deputies who have served in the Oireachtas since before that date can choose whether to have their pensions calculated under the old or the new scheme.
Below are the likely pension entitlements of four of the best-known politicians who lost their seats in the election.
Alan Dukes:
For his 21 years as a Dail deputy, under the old Oireachtas scheme he would receive €36,251 per year. Or €27,188.28 per annum plus a lump sum of €81,564.84. As he is over 50 he is entitled to claim the pension.
Under the revised scheme introduced in 1992, he could receive a termination lump sum of €11,508.33. This is given to all TDs who have lost their seats or retired after at least six months in the Dáil. In addition, he would get monthly severance payments for the next six months of €4,315.62.
The payment of his pension would begin after the monthly severance payments cease. He would qualify for the maximum pension of €34,525 per annum.
On foot of his ministerial service of 5½ years, Mr Dukes is entitled to a further pension of 35 per cent of a Minister's salary, or €31,338.63. In total, Mr Dukes could receive an annual pension of €67,589.63, as well as the termination lump sum of €11,508.33. Or he could opt for a total pension of €58,526.63, thus increasing his lump sum payment to €93,073.17.
Nora Owen
Mrs Owen has been a TD for 19 years, from 1981-1987 and from 1989 to May 2002. Under the old scheme, she would receive €32,798.75 per annum, or a smaller pension of €24,598.92 plus a lump sum of €73,796. Being over 50, she could claim this pension from now. Under the new scheme, she could receive a termination lump sum of €11,508.33. In addition, having served more than 14 years, she would get the maximum monthly severance payments for the next six months of €4,315.62 and for the following six months of €2,877.08.
The payment of her pension would then begin after the monthly severance payments cease. She would receive €32,798.75 per annum based on 19 years service, plus a lump sum of €98,396.25.
Having served as a minister for 2½ years, Mrs Owen is entitled to a ministerial pension of 20 per cent of a ministerial salary, or €17.903.22. This could give her a total pension of €56,701.75 as well as the termination lump sum of €11,508.33. Alternatively, she could opt for a pension of €42,502 with a lump sum of €85,304.33.
Dick Spring
Mr Spring entered the Dáil in November 1982 and has over 20 years of unbroken service. If he opts for the new scheme brought in in 1992 he will be a few months over the service requirement to receive full benefit. As it stands, he would get half his TD's salary of €69,000 plus a lump sum of €103,500.
In addition, he can claim the full termination and severance payments which are worth another €54,652. As he is over 50, Mr Spring can draw his pension.
If he opted for the older 1986 scheme he could get credit for his service beyond 20 years but would have to forgo his lump sum.
Mr Spring also has eight years and 10 months service as a minister and Tánaiste, which entitles him to a separate pension. He gets four months credit for his eight months as a junior minister.
Last year he received €18,564 from his ministerial pension. Maximum total: Pension €53,000 plus a lump sum of €158,150.
Mary O'Rourke
Ms O'Rourke was first elected to the Dáil in 1982 and has over 20 years service in the Dáil, plus 17 months as a senator. She is entitled to a full pension under the new scheme of half the current TD salary of €69,000, plus a lump sum of €103,500. She also gets the full severance and termination package worth €54,652.
If she opted for the older scheme she would get credit for the years she has served in excess of 20 years, but would have to forgo the termination and severance package. As she is over 50 she can draw her pension immediately.
Ms O'Rourke has served as a minister for nine years and six months, as well as 34 months as a junior minister. She gets a credit of half her junior ministerial service towards her ministerial pension.
Prior to taking up her ministerial post in the outgoing government, she was drawing a pension of £15,794 in respect of her ministerial service. That will now be topped up for her five years service in the outgoing government.
Under the scheme introduced in 1992 she could potentially receive 60 per cent of her current ministerial salary of €89,516 plus a severance allowance of one year's salary.
But because she will continues in the Oireachtas as a member of the Seanad, she cannot draw her Dáil pension and will receive a reduced ministerial pension.
Approximate maximum total: Annual pension of €88,209 plus lump sum of €247,668.