Auto-Enrolment Pension Calculator Ireland 2026
See how much you, your employer and the state will contribute to your new pension — and an estimate of what your pot could be worth at retirement.
2026 rates verified
Your Details
Contributions calculated on first €80,000
Historical average: 5–7% for a balanced fund
State pension age is 66
What Is Auto-Enrolment?
Auto-enrolment (AE) — “My Future Fund” — is Ireland's new mandatory workplace pension scheme, launched on 1 January 2026. All PAYE employees aged 23–60 earning over €20,000 are automatically enrolled if they do not already have a pension.
For every €3 you contribute, your employer adds €3 and the state adds €1 — giving you €7 in your pension pot for every €3 of your own money.
| Phase | Years | Employee | Employer | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 2026–2028 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.5% |
| Phase 2 | 2029–2031 | 3% | 3% | 1% |
| Phase 3 | 2032–2034 | 4.5% | 4.5% | 1.5% |
| Phase 4 | 2035+ | 6% | 6% | 2% |
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only. Projections assume salary stays constant and a fixed annual return. Actual investment returns vary. Always consult a financial advisor for personalised pension advice.
Revenue.ie Statutory Rates
Calculations strictly align with the Finance Act 2025/2026 and official rate schedules published by the Irish Revenue Commissioners.
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Formulas designed and verified by a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA) for Auto-Enrolment Pension Calculator.
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See your full take-home pay after income tax, USC and PRSI
Full Income Tax Calculator →How Auto-Enrolment Contributions Work
My Future Fund began on 1 January 2026 and applies to employees aged 23 to 60 earning above a set threshold who are not already in a workplace pension. Three parties contribute to every pound put into the pot: you, your employer, and the State. The State top-up is fixed at one-third of your own contribution in every phase, which works out at an effective 25% boost regardless of your tax rate.
Contribution rates are not fixed forever. They step up in four phases over roughly a decade, starting low and rising as the scheme matures, so your own contribution rate today will be higher in a few years' time even on the same salary.
| Phase | Employee | Employer | State top-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 (2026-28) | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.5% |
| Phase 2 (2029-31) | 3% | 3% | 1% |
| Phase 3 (2032-34) | 4.5% | 4.5% | 1.5% |
| Phase 4 (2035+) | 6% | 6% | 2% |
Worked Example: €40,000 Salary
The same salary produces a much larger total contribution as the scheme moves through its phases.
| Phase 1 (2026-28) | Phase 4 (2035+) | |
|---|---|---|
| Your contribution | €600 | €2,400 |
| Employer contribution | €600 | €2,400 |
| State top-up | €200 | €800 |
| Total paid into the pot | €1,400 | €5,600 |
Opting Out: What You Actually Get Back
Auto-enrolment is opt-out, not opt-in, and the opt-out window only opens during months 7 and 8 of your membership. If you opt out within that window, only your own contributions are refunded. Any contributions your employer has already paid, and any State top-up already added, stay invested in your pension pot for retirement rather than being paid back to you or your employer. That is usually the biggest cost of opting out, since it is money you do not get to keep either way.
For a full breakdown of what you lose by opting out, including a worked example, see our auto-enrolment opt-out guide. To see how AE contributions sit alongside your income tax, USC and PRSI, use the PAYE tax calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is auto-enrolment (My Future Fund) in Ireland?
My Future Fund is Ireland's new workplace pension scheme, which began on 1 January 2026. Eligible employees who are not already in a workplace pension are automatically enrolled and start contributing a percentage of their pay, matched by their employer, with the State adding a top-up on top.
Is auto-enrolment mandatory?
It is opt-out, not opt-in. Eligible employees are enrolled automatically without having to apply, and contributions begin straight away. You can choose to leave the scheme later, but you cannot avoid being enrolled in the first place if you meet the eligibility criteria.
When can I opt out of auto-enrolment?
The opt-out window opens during months 7 and 8 of your membership. Opting out before or after that window is not possible under the current rules.
What do I get back if I opt out?
Only your own contributions are refunded if you opt out. Any contributions already paid in by your employer, and any State top-up already added, stay invested in your pension pot for retirement rather than being paid back to you or your employer.
Do auto-enrolment contributions get income tax relief?
No, not in the way a traditional PRSA or occupational pension does. Auto-enrolment contributions are deducted after tax, and instead of income tax relief at your marginal rate, the State adds €1 for every €3 you contribute, which is equivalent to a flat 25% top-up regardless of your tax band.
How do the contribution rates change over time?
The rates rise in four phases: Phase 1 (2026-28) is 1.5% from you and 1.5% from your employer, Phase 2 (2029-31) is 3%/3%, Phase 3 (2032-34) is 4.5%/4.5%, and Phase 4 (2035 onwards) is 6%/6%. On a €40,000 salary, your own contribution rises from €600 a year in Phase 1 to €2,400 a year in Phase 4.