Auto-enrolment is a new pension savings scheme for certain employees who are not paying into a pension. They will be automatically included in the scheme but can opt out after 6 months. Auto-enrolment is expected to be introduced in January 2025. Under the scheme, the employee, employer, and Government all pay a certain amount into the employee’s pension fund.
You will be automatically enrolled in the new pension scheme if you are an employee and:
- You are age between 23 and 60
- You are not currently part of a pension plan
- You earn €20,000 or more per year
The table below sets out the rates you, your employer, and the Government will pay:
| Year of the auto-enrolment scheme |
Employee Contribution Rate | Employer pays |
Government pays |
| 1 to 3 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.5% |
| 4 to 6 | 3% | 3% | 1% |
| 7 to 9 | 4.5% | 4.5% | 1.5% |
| 10 and after | 6% | 6% | 2% |
The table below includes an example of a worker earning €20,000 a year:
| Year of the auto-enrolment scheme | Employee pays | Employer pays | Government pays | Total payments per year |
| 1 to 3 | €300 | €300 | €100 | €700 |
| 4 to 6 | €600 | €600 | €200 | €1,400 |
| 7 to 9 | €900 | €900 | €300 | €2,100 |
| 10 and after | €1,200 | €1,200 | €400 | €2,800 |