Which Pension Type Am I?
Ireland has 8 different types of pension. Most people only need to worry about 1 or 2. Answer a few quick questions to find out which ones apply to you, or scroll down to see them all.
Find Your Pension Type
Question 1 of 4
Are you currently employed (PAYE worker)?
All 8 Pension Types in Ireland
State Pension (Contributory)
Who: Everyone 66+ with enough PRSI contributions
Up to €277.30/week (~€14,420/year). Not enough alone.
Occupational Defined Contribution
Who: Employees with an employer pension scheme
Employer contributes alongside you. Most common private-sector type.
Occupational Defined Benefit
Who: Mostly public sector workers
Guaranteed 'final salary' payout. Almost extinct in private sector.
Standard PRSA
Who: Anyone — especially if no employer scheme
Fee-capped: max 1% annual charge, 5% contribution charge. Portable.
Non-Standard PRSA
Who: Anyone wanting wider investment options
No fee caps. More investment flexibility but watch the charges.
Retirement Annuity Contract (RAC)
Who: Self-employed (legacy product)
Pre-PRSA product. No fee caps. Being phased out.
Auto-Enrolment (MyFutureFund)
Who: Employees 23-60, earning >€20K, no existing workplace pension
NEW from Jan 2026. State tops up €1 for every €3 you save. Just 0.10% charge.
Executive Pension / SSAS
Who: Company directors
Most tax-efficient way to extract profits. Maximum contribution flexibility.
This is general information about pension types in Ireland. It is not financial advice. Your situation may have nuances not covered here — consider speaking to a qualified financial advisor for personalised guidance.