Who is automatically enrolled?
You are automatically enrolled in My Future Fund if you meet all three of the following conditions:
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | Between 23 and 60 |
| Income | Earning more than €20,000 per year |
| Pension status | Not already paying into a pension through your payroll |
Source: Gov.ie — Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System ↗
If you are under 23, over 60, or earn less than €20,000, you are not automatically enrolled but you can choose to opt in voluntarily.
Contribution rates
Contributions are shared between you, your employer, and the State. They increase gradually over 10 years to give everyone time to adjust.
| Period | Employee | Employer | State | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years 1–3 (2026–2028) | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.5% | 3.5% |
| Years 4–6 | 3% | 3% | 1% | 7% |
| Years 7–9 | 4.5% | 4.5% | 1.5% | 10.5% |
| Year 10+ (2035 onwards) | 6% | 6% | 2% | 14% |
Source: Gov.ie — My Future Fund contribution rates ↗
What it means for your take-home pay
For someone earning €40,000 in 2026, here is how auto-enrolment contributions break down per year:
| Contributor | Rate | Annual amount |
|---|---|---|
| You (employee) | 1.5% | €600 |
| Your employer | 1.5% | €600 |
| State top-up | 0.5% | €200 |
| Total going into your pension | €1,400 | |
Example based on €40,000 gross salary. Your contributions are deducted from gross pay before it reaches your bank account.
Can you opt out?
Yes, but not immediately. You must be enrolled for at least 6 months before you can opt out. The opt-out window is months 7 and 8 after enrolment. If you opt out during this window, you receive a refund of your own contributions.
What if you already have a pension?
If you are already paying into a pension through your payroll, you will not be automatically enrolled in My Future Fund. The scheme is specifically designed for employees who have no existing pension provision through their employer.
If you have a private pension that is not connected to your payroll, you may still be enrolled — the system cannot see pension arrangements outside of payroll. In that case you would need to notify your employer or opt out during the opt-out window.