What happens to your pension on death depends entirely on which type of pension you have. The rules are different for the State Pension, occupational pensions, PRSAs, and ARFs. This guide explains each one clearly.
8 min readReviewed against official Irish guidanceLast updated: May 2026
Quick answer
The State Pension stops on death and cannot be passed on as a lump sum. Private pensions (occupational, PRSA, ARF) can usually be passed to dependants or your estate, subject to tax rules. The exact outcome depends on your pension type, whether you have retired, and who your nominated beneficiaries are.
The State Pension
The State Pension (Contributory) stops on your death. It is a personal payment and cannot be inherited as a lump sum by a spouse, children, or anyone else.
However, a surviving spouse or civil partner may be entitled to a Bereaved Partner's Contributory Pension from the Department of Social Protection, based on either partner's PRSI record.
Social welfare payments including the State Pension can continue to be paid for 6 weeks after death to give the household time to adjust. After that, they stop.
What happens depends on whether you have retired yet and what type of scheme you are in.
Situation
What typically happens
Die before retirement (DC scheme)
Your accumulated fund is paid as a lump sum to your estate or nominated beneficiaries. Many schemes also provide a death-in-service benefit — often around 4 times your salary.
Die before retirement (DB scheme)
A surviving spouse may receive a dependant's pension. Your own contributions may be refunded if no dependant pension applies.
Die after retirement on an annuity
Payments stop unless you chose a joint-life or guaranteed period option when you bought the annuity.
Die after retirement with an ARF
The remaining fund can be passed to your spouse or estate. Tax rules apply depending on the beneficiary.
If you die before drawing on your PRSA, the full value of the fund is paid to your estate. Your estate then distributes it according to your will or the rules of intestacy if there is no will.
If you die after retirement and have moved your PRSA into an ARF (Approved Retirement Fund), the ARF can be passed to your spouse tax-free. Other beneficiaries may face income tax and potentially inheritance tax.
Tax on inherited pensions
Tax treatment depends on who inherits and what type of pension is involved.
Beneficiary
Tax treatment
Spouse or civil partner
Generally tax-free transfer
Child under 21
Lump sum may be subject to inheritance tax (CAT) after the tax-free threshold is used
Child over 21
ARF inheritance is subject to income tax at 30%; CAT may also apply
Other beneficiaries
Subject to income tax and potentially CAT depending on the pension type and amount
Keeping your nominated beneficiary details up to date on all your pension schemes is one of the most important and most overlooked financial tasks. If your circumstances change (marriage, divorce, children), update your nominations.
Common confusion
Not necessarily. Pension trustees have discretion over who receives death benefits, even if you have a nominated beneficiary. Your nomination is a strong guide but is not always legally binding. This is why it is important to keep nominations up to date and to have a valid will.
Not always. Pension death benefits often sit outside your estate and may not be covered by your will at all. The pension trustees decide who receives the benefit based on your nominations and the scheme rules. This is particularly important for occupational pensions and PRSAs.
It depends on the pension type and what options you chose. If you retired with an annuity and did not select a joint-life option, payments stop on your death. With a defined contribution scheme or PRSA, the remaining fund can pass to your spouse. Always check the specific rules of your scheme.
This page gives general information only. Pension death benefit rules are complex and can vary significantly between schemes. Consider speaking to a regulated financial adviser or the Pensions Authority for advice specific to your situation.