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Auto enrolment pension Ireland

From January 2026, Ireland introduced a new auto enrolment pension scheme, My Future Fund, to help employees save for retirement. This scheme automatically enrols eligible workers who do not have an existing occupational pension, ensuring they have a supplementary pension in addition to the State pension.

At Azets, we support businesses across Ireland with payroll integration, compliance, and administration for auto enrolment, making it simple to meet obligations and support your workforce.

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Jennifer Kelly

What is auto enrolment pension in Ireland?

Auto enrolment pension is a government-backed retirement savings system that automatically enrols eligible employees into a pension scheme. Known as My Future Fund, it is designed to provide a reliable, long-term savings option for employees who do not currently have access to a workplace pension.

The scheme will be phased in over ten years, starting in January 2026, gradually including employees across all sectors. Employers are responsible for registering with My Future Fund and making contributions in line with government guidelines.

Who will be automatically enrolled?

Employees are automatically enrolled if they meet the following criteria:

  • Aged between 23 and 60
  • Earning above the income threshold set by the scheme
  • Not already enrolled in an occupational pension
  • Paying the appropriate class of PRSI
  • Working for an employer participating in My Future Fund

Employees who are self-employed or already have a workplace pension are not automatically enrolled, although they may choose to join voluntarily.

What auto enrolment means for employees

Employees benefit from:

  • Automatic pension savings, in addition to the State pension
  • Employer and State contributions boosting retirement funds
  • Online access to view contributions and balances
  • Low fees due to pooled investment management
  • Flexibility to opt out and re-enrol in line with government rules.

This system ensures employees build a retirement fund without having to navigate complicated pension options themselves.

How auto enrolment pension works for employers

Employers play a key role in ensuring compliance. Key responsibilities include:

  • Registering as an employer via the government portal
  • Calculating contributions for employees, employer, and State top-up
  • Making contributions on time and updating payroll systems
  • Communicating the scheme to employees
  • Managing opt-outs and re-enrolments

Azets provides guidance and full payroll integration to make this process seamless, reducing administrative burden and ensuring compliance.

Contribution rates and phasing

Contributions will gradually increase over the 10-year implementation period. A typical phased schedule is:

Year | Employee contribution | Employer contribution | State top-up | Total contribution

1

1%

1%

0.5%

2.5%

5

3%

3%

1%

7%

10

5%

5%

2%

12%

These contributions are automatically deducted via payroll, and employees can track their pension online through the My Future Fund portal.

Employer responsibilities and compliance requirements

Employers must:

  • Register with MyFutureFund to ensure eligible employees are enrolled
  • Update payroll systems to reflect contributions
  • Ensure timely payment of all contributions
  • Maintain accurate records for compliance audits
  • Provide clear information to employees about the scheme

Failure to meet obligations can result in penalties, so expert support is highly recommended.

Employers who operate an occupational pension scheme must ensure that their scheme meets the minimum standards as set out in The Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Regulations 2025 – contact us for more information.

Auto enrolment support tailored for SMEs and larger employers

We provide hands-on support with setup, employee communications, payroll adjustments, and contributions, making it simple for small teams to comply.

We manage complex payrolls, multi-entity workforces, and HR integration, ensuring all eligible staff are enrolled and contributions are accurate.

Speak to a payroll specialist

Ensure your business is ready for auto enrolment. Speak to an Azets payroll specialist today to get expert guidance and a step-by-step plan for My Future Fund implementation.

FAQs

Auto enrolment pension is a government-backed scheme that automatically enrols eligible employees into a retirement savings plan, My Future Fund.

The scheme began in January 2026, with phased roll-out over ten years.

Employer contributions start at 1% of employee salary in year one and gradually increase to 5% by year ten.

Yes, employees may choose to opt out within the rules set by the government scheme.

Employers must update payroll systems to calculate and submit contributions for employees, employers, and State top-ups. Azets can manage this process for you.

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