FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about Ireland’s auto-enrolment scheme:
What is auto-enrolment?
Who is eligible for auto-enrolment?
Employees aged 23 to 60, earning €20,000 or more
annually, and not already contributing to a workplace pension are automatically enrolled.
Can employees opt out?
What are the contribution rates?
What happens if an employee changes jobs?
Will auto-enrolment replace the State Pension?
What are the employer's responsibilities?
What happens if an employee opts out?
f an employee opts out of Ireland&'s auto-enrolment scheme, here's what happens:
1. Refund of Contributions: Employees can opt out after being enrolled for six months, and
any contributions they made during this period will be refunded.
2. Re-Enrolment: Employees who opt out will be automatically re-enrolled every two to three
years, giving them another opportunity to participate in the scheme. They can choose to opt
out again if they wish.
3. Suspension of Contributions: Once opted out, both employee and employer contributions,
as well as the State's contributions, will cease until the employee is re-enrolled or decides to
opt back in.
This system is designed to encourage long-term savings while providing flexibility for employees to
manage their financial commitments. Let me know if you'd like further details!
For more detailed answers, you can explore resources like Gov.ie – Auto-Enrolment FAQs or Citizens Information – Auto-Enrolment Pension. Let me know if you’d like further assistance!
• What it is, who is eligible, what employers need to do.
• How contributions work and the penalties for non-compliance.
• Can existing pension schemes be used?
Under Ireland’s auto-enrolment scheme, employees who are currently contributing to a workplace or private pension scheme through payroll are exempt from automatic enrolment. This allows the scheme to focus on providing benefits to individuals who lack pension coverage. Employers with existing pension schemes may continue to use them, as long as they comply with the minimum standards and contribution rates outlined in the auto enrolment regulations. If these requirements are not met, employers will need to either modify the existing scheme or enroll their employees in the auto-enrolment system.
