Compare Pension Providers in Ireland

Ireland has 6 main pension providers. They all offer broadly similar products, but differ on fees, fund choice, and online experience. Here's how they stack up.

What to look for (in order of importance)

1.Fees (AMC). A 1% difference in annual charges can cost you 20-25% of your final pension pot over 30 years. This is by far the most important factor.
2.Fund choice. You want access to low-cost index/passive funds as well as managed options. More choice means you can find the right risk level.
3.Features and tools. A good app and online portal makes it easier to track your pension, adjust contributions, and stay engaged.
4.Service quality. How easy is it to actually get things done? Some providers are broker-only (you need an intermediary), others let you go direct.

Provider Comparison Table

Provider	Position	Typical AMC	Fund Range	Online Tools	Key Strength
Irish Life	Market leader (~35% share)	0.5% – 1.5%	200+ funds	Strong — full online portal, app, retirement planning tools	Largest provider, widest distribution, employer scheme dominance
Zurich	Top 3	0.5% – 1.25%	150+ funds (Prisma range)	Excellent — modern app, real-time valuations, goal tracker	Prisma multi-asset funds, strong online experience, competitive fees
New Ireland	Major (Bank of Ireland Group)	0.75% – 1.5%	100+ funds	Good — online portal, limited app functionality	Bank of Ireland branch network, large employer scheme book
Aviva	Top 3	0.5% – 1.25%	120+ funds	Good — broker portal, customer portal	International backing, multi-asset MAPS range, competitive on fees
Standard Life	Major (Phoenix Group)	0.5% – 1.0%	100+ funds	Good — workplace pension portal, MyStandardLife app	Strong workplace pension expertise, passive/index options
Royal London	Growing	0.5% – 1.0%	50+ funds	Developing — primarily broker-intermediated	Competitive fees, mutual ownership (no shareholders to pay), growing range

Important notes

AMC ranges are indicative. Your actual charge depends on the specific fund, your contribution level, and whether you go through a broker. Always confirm the exact AMC before committing.
Auto-Enrolment (MyFutureFund) is separate from all of these. It has a fixed charge of just 0.10% and is managed by the National Auto-Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA).
Brokers vs direct. Most Irish pension providers work primarily through brokers/financial advisors. Going through a broker can sometimes get you lower fees (they negotiate on your behalf) but they may also charge a separate advice fee.

Which pension type suits me? →Tax relief calculator How to start a pension

This comparison is for general information purposes only. It is not a recommendation of any provider. Fee ranges and fund counts are approximate and may change. Always verify current charges directly with the provider or your financial advisor.