Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…
Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…If you are an employee and do not pay into a pension, you may be automatically included (auto-enrolled) in a new pension scheme since 1 January 2026. The pension scheme is called MyFutureFund.
Who will be automatically enrolled?
You will be automatically enrolled in MyFutureFund for an employment if you:
• Do not pay into a pension through payroll for that employment
• Are aged between 23 and 60
• Earn €20,000 or more per year across all employments, or more than €5,000 over a 13-week period
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Can I choose to join if I am not automatically enrolled?
If you do not meet the age or income requirements above, you can still choose to join the pension scheme if you are not paying into a pension through payroll. You must be an employee and aged over 18, up to the pension age of 66.
Does my employer have to participate?
Yes, if you are eligible for auto-enrolment or you opt in to the scheme. If your employer does not meet their auto-enrolment obligations, they will face penalties such as fines and prosecution.
What happens if I already have a workplace pension?
You will not be enrolled in MyFutureFund for an employment if you are paying into a pension plan through its payroll.
What happens if I change jobs after being enrolled?
If you change jobs after being automatically enrolled, you won’t need to change pension or join a new scheme. You will remain a member of MyFutureFund. You do not have to do anything, as the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) will manage the change.
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What happens if I start paying into another pension?
If you start paying into another pension through payroll, your contributions to MyFutureFund will stop automatically.
Is auto-enrolment better than my personal pension?
Whether auto-enrolment or your personal pension is better for you depends on your situation and circumstances. You should review your personal pension and compare it with the benefits of auto-enrolment to see what works best for you
Can I opt-out of (leave) MyFutureFund?
After you are enrolled, you must stay in MyFutureFund for at least 6 months. You can opt out after 6 months. e.g. if you were enrolled on 1 January 2026, you can opt out in July or August 2026. After you have been in the scheme for 8 months, you cannot opt out but you can suspend your contributions at any time.
If you leave MyFutureFund or suspend your contributions, you will be automatically re-enrolled after 2 years if you are still eligible.
How much do I pay?
The amount you pay into MyFutureFund will be a set rate of your annual salary. Your employer will match your contributions, and the Government will contribute an additional amount. For every €3 that you contribute to your pension fund, your employer will put in €3, and the Government will put in €1.
You cannot pay more or less than the set rate.
In the first year, you and your employer will pay 1.5% of your annual salary. This will increase to 6% by year 10.
• For anyone needing information, advice or have an advocacy issue, you can call a member of the local Citizens Information team in Kerry on 0818 07 7860, they will be happy to assist and make an appointment if necessary.
The offices are staffed from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Alternatively you can email on tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie for further information.
