Auto-Enrolment Pension in Ireland: A Quick Guide

What is Auto-Enrolment?
Auto-enrolment is a new pension savings scheme launching on 30 September 2025 for eligible employees not in an existing pension plan. Contributions will be made by the employee, employer, and Government. Once enrolled, employees can opt out after 6 months but will be automatically re-enrolled every 2 years if still eligible.


Who Will Be Automatically Enrolled?
Employees will be automatically enrolled if they:

  • Are aged between 23 and 60,
  • Earn €20,000 or more annually, and
  • Are not already part of a pension plan.

Those earning below €20,000 or outside this age range can join voluntarily if they meet other conditions.


Employer Obligations
Employers must participate by contributing to the scheme. Non-compliance may lead to penalties.


If You Already Have a Workplace Pension
Employees with an existing workplace pension are exempt from auto-enrolment.


Switching Jobs
Your pension follows you across jobs, requiring no additional setup.


Opting Out and Re-Enrollment
You may opt out after 6 months with a refund, but re-enrollment happens every 2 years if you’re eligible.


Contribution Rates and Limits
Contribution rates start at 1.5% of your salary, matched by your employer, and increase to 6% over 10 years. The Government also contributes, starting at 0.5% and rising to 2%. Contributions are capped at an €80,000 salary threshold, beyond which employer and Government contributions won’t apply.


Years of Auto-EnrolmentEmployee PaysEmployer PaysGovernment PaysTotal Contribution
1 to 31.5%1.5%0.5%3.5%
4 to 63%3%1%7%
7 to 94.5%4.5%1.5%10.5%
10 and after6%6%2%14%


Example Contribution for a €20,000 Salary:

Years of Auto-EnrolmentEmployee Pays (€)Employer Pays (€)Government Pays (€)Total Contribution (€)
1 to 3€300€300€100€700
4 to 6€600€600€200€1,400
7 to 9€900€900€300€2,100
10 and after€1,200€1,200€400€2,800


This scheme, managed by the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority, provides a structured way to build retirement savings with gradual contribution increases over time.

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