Pension Auto-Enrolment (Ireland)
Pension Auto-Enrolment (Ireland)
How will Sage 50 Payroll Ireland support auto-enrolment?
We’re preparing the next software release to support auto-enrolment for your employees. It will be available later this year.
You’ll simply:
- Retrieve the pension instruction (similar to an RPN) so your software knows who to enroll.
- Submit contributions to NAERSA
No setup required, your software will handle the rest.
Once enrolled, the program will automatically calculate pension contributions based on the employee’s information and display these on their payslips and other payroll reports.
What do i need to do:
- My Future Fund: Employee welcome letter template -Download and use the Welcome to My Future Fund letter template for employees you enroll through your Sage 50 Payroll.
- Instructions on how to use Auto Enrolment with your Sage 50 Payroll can be downloaded from here.
What is auto-enrolment and when does it start?
Auto-enrolment is a new retirement savings scheme launching in Ireland on 1 January 2026. It helps employees without workplace or private pensions save for retirement—without requiring employers to set up occupational pension schemes.
TIP: Find detailed information at gov.ie
Who will be auto-enrolled?
Employees will automatically enroll if they:
- Are aged 23 to 60
- Earn €20,000 or more annually across all employment
- Don’t have supplementary pension coverage. For example, occupational pension, personal retirement savings account (PRSA), retirement annuity contract (RAC), pan-european pension product (PEPP)
Employees outside these criteria can opt in voluntarily.
How does the scheme work?
The National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) will manage the scheme. It will:
- Uses Revenue payroll data to identify eligible employees
- Collect contributions from employees, employers, and the State
- Manage investment of funds with a default strategy and optional alternatives
- Apply a “pot-follows-member” model so savings move with employees across jobs
What do employers need to do?
Employer will:
- Use an online portal to manage and monitor contributions
- Have minimal administrative tasks as NAERSA handles enrolment and eligibility
- Avoid assessing employee eligibility or setting up pension schemes
How will contributions be calculated?
Contributions will phase in over time, with matching payments from employer and State contributions. You can find full details on rates and timelines at gov.ie
How can employees manage their savings?
Employees will use an online portal to:
- Opt out or suspend contributions
- Re-enrol if they choose
- Monitor their savings and investment performance
More information can be found in the following links:
- https://www.autoenrollment.ie/
- Auto Enrolment – Gov.ie
- https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money-and-tax/personal-finance/pensions/auto-enrolment/
- Auto-enrolment: What Irish employers need to know about workplace pensions
- Sage Auto Enrolment FAQs
- Sage Auto-enrolment articles – https://ie-kb.sage.com/portal/app/portlets/results/viewsolution.jsp?solutionid=250804131812627