Pensions

Plain English guides to Irish State pensions, auto-enrolment, occupational pensions, PRSAs, AVCs, pension tax relief, charges and changing jobs.

State pensions

General information on the two main State Pension routes and how PRSI or means testing can matter.

State Pension Contributory explainedHow the PRSI-based State Pension works, including contribution records and official assessment. State Pension Non-Contributory explainedThe means-tested State Pension, how it differs from the contributory pension and where to check rules. Irish State Pension overviewA broader overview of State Pension topics and common terms.

What this section covers

This section explains common State, workplace and personal pension terms in Ireland. It covers PRSI-based and means-tested State Pensions, occupational pensions, PRSAs, auto-enrolment, contributions, tax relief and charges. The guides clarify documents and general rules without comparing providers or recommending a pension product. Pension outcomes depend on scheme rules, contribution history and individual circumstances, so current details should be confirmed with the relevant official body.

Workplace and private pensions

How common private and workplace pension arrangements are structured.

PRSA vs occupational pensionA factual comparison of PRSAs and occupational pensions in Ireland. Auto-enrolment Ireland explainedMyFutureFund rules, contributions and official sources. AVCs explainedAdditional Voluntary Contributions, Revenue limits and pension rules in plain English. What is a PRSA?Personal Retirement Savings Accounts explained. What is an occupational pension?Workplace pension schemes and common pension terms.

Tax and costs

Revenue tax relief rules and the charges that can apply to pension arrangements.

Pension tax relief explainedRevenue age-related limits, the earnings cap and how relief differs from a contribution. Pension charges explainedContribution charges, annual management charges, policy fees and other common terms.

Life changes

General pension information for job changes and death benefits.

What happens to pensions when changing jobsPreserved benefits, transfers and pension documents in general terms. What happens to your pension when you die?General information on different pension types and death benefits.

All pages are general information only and use official Irish public sources where possible. Pension rules depend on the pension type, scheme rules and individual circumstances.

Official sources

For current rules, rates and eligibility, check the relevant official public source.