January 2026 set as date for auto-enrolment pensions for workers in Ireland.

The government has confirmed that the long-awaited auto-enrolment pension scheme for workers will now not come into force until 1 January 2026.

The scheme, which will see almost 800,000 workers gain access to a pension for the first time, was due to kick in on 30 September 2025. 

The hold up has been put down to the amount of administration that is required, and the government’s desire to launch it in alignment with other projects.

The scheme will see employees contribute into a pension pot, with their contributions matched by their employer, as well as a further top-up from the State.

So, if an employee were to pay in €3 to their pension pot, their employer must match their contribution and put in €3, while the State provides a €1 top-up.

For every €3 an employee puts in, they will end up with €7 in their pension pot.

All employees who are not already in an occupational pension scheme, and are aged between 23 and 60 and earning over €20,000 across all of their employments, will be automatically enrolled under the new legislation.

It will be possible for workers to opt out of the scheme if they wish or to suspend their contributions, after six-months mandatory participation.