Pension changes for farming wives

WOMEN working on farms have been urged to check out their pension entitle- ments in the context of changes and clarifications announced by Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin.

Irish Farmers Association president, Padraig Walshe, said they should ensure that they are in receipt of a contributory pension, if entitled to one.

He said women working on farms in partnership with their spouses can qualify for a non-means- tested pension in their own right, following negotiations between the IFA, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, and the Revenue.