Government Delays Pension Auto-Enrolment Scheme to January 2026
The launch of Ireland’s pension auto-enrolment system, My Future Fund, has been postponed from 30 September 2025 to 1 January 2026, the Government has confirmed.
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said the deferral aligns the scheme with the standard tax year and provides additional time for payroll providers—particularly smaller operators—to prepare their systems. The delay will also give employers, especially small and micro businesses, more time to ensure compliance from day one.
The new retirement savings scheme is expected to benefit over 800,000 workers who are currently not enrolled in an occupational pension plan. Under the scheme, employees aged 23 to 60 earning more than €20,000 annually across all jobs will be automatically enrolled.
Contributions will be phased in over ten years, starting at 1.5% from both employers and employees. These will rise by 1.5% every three years until reaching 6% each. In addition, the State will contribute €1 for every €3 saved by an employee.
While enrolment is automatic, participants will be allowed to opt out or suspend their contributions after six months.
“My Future Fund will help hundreds of thousands of people in Ireland build financial security for their retirement,” said Minister Calleary. “It’s crucial that we launch this system smoothly, with all stakeholders properly prepared. Delaying the collection of contributions ensures we do just that.”