Jack is in receipt of the State invalidity pension. This pension will automatically stop when Jack:

• A. reaches age 60
• B. reaches age 65
• C. starts to receive the State Pension (Contributory)
• D. starts to receive a private pension

Answer: (C)

State invalidity pension is paid to someone who cannot work due to illness or disability, with the aim of bridging to retirement. It ends automatically from the date you begin receiving the State Pension (Contributory) because that retirement benefit replaces the invalidity payment and there is no overlap. It does not end merely because you reach a certain age, so ages such as 60 or 65 aren’t the trigger. It also doesn’t stop simply because you start a private pension; a private pension might affect other entitlements, but it does not automatically terminate the invalidity payment. Therefore, the cessation occurs when you start the State Pension (Contributory).