What auto-enrolment is
Auto-enrolment is a retirement savings system where certain employees are automatically enrolled into MyFutureFund if they meet the official conditions and are not already contributing through payroll to a qualifying pension arrangement.
The National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority, known as NAERSA, administers the scheme.
Key terms
| Term | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|
| MyFutureFund | The brand name for Ireland's auto-enrolment retirement savings system. |
| NAERSA | The State agency administering auto-enrolment. |
| Qualifying pension arrangement | A pension arrangement that meets the official exemption standards for MyFutureFund. |
| Opt-out | An official process that may be available at specified times under the rules. |
General rules
Gov.ie says people who do not have a pension scheme, earn more than €20,000 per year and are aged between 23 and 60 are automatically enrolled into the system. Official guidance also refers to employees who are not already contributing through payroll to a qualifying retirement savings arrangement.
Eligibility is determined under official rules. Employers and payroll systems interact with NAERSA for administration.
Contributions
Gov.ie says contributions are paid by the employee and employer, with a State top-up. The contribution rates are phased in over the first 10 years.
| Period | Employee | Employer | State top-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 to 2028 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.5% |
| 2029 to 2031 | 3% | 3% | 1% |
| 2032 to 2034 | 4.5% | 4.5% | 1.5% |
| 2035 onwards | 6% | 6% | 2% |
Auto-enrolment rules and start dates can change, so check official sources for the current position.
How it differs from occupational pensions and PRSAs
An occupational pension is usually an employer scheme. A PRSA is an individual pension arrangement with an authorised PRSA provider. MyFutureFund is a State-administered auto-enrolment system for employees who meet the official conditions.
What this means in real life
For an employee, auto-enrolment can mean a new pension deduction appearing on a payslip even when no pension application was made directly. The employer and State also contribute under the system rules, so the amount going into the retirement account is more than the employee deduction alone. Contribution rates increase in stages, which means the payslip impact can change over time. Someone who already has an occupational pension or another qualifying payroll pension arrangement may be treated differently from someone with no workplace pension. Auto-enrolment is also distinct from choosing a PRSA or joining an occupational pension. The practical effect depends on age, earnings, existing pension coverage and whether the employee remains enrolled under the official rules.
Common misunderstandings
Where to check officially
Pension rules can depend on the pension type, the person's work record, scheme rules and individual circumstances. The official sources below are the places to check current rules.