Retirement Age Ireland: What You Need to Know (2024 Guide)

Ireland has no official retirement age; however, most people retire around 65.

The age at which an employee retires is influenced by their employment contract, financial readiness, pension schemes, and other factors. 

Let’s discuss Ireland’s retirement age in detail and how you can plan for retirement.  

What is the Retirement Age in Ireland?

Ireland doesn’t have a standard retirement age set by law. 

Most employers have their own policies on when you can retire. Moreover, certain professions and sectors have regulations regarding retirement age. 

Typically, when someone talks about retirement age, they usually mean 65. 

Please note that the retirement age differs from Ireland’s State Pension age of 66, which is when the State Pension payments kick in.

But here’s the thing:

In March 2024, the Irish government approved the drafting of legislation to align retirement ages in employment contracts with the State Pension age. 

What does that mean?

It means employers won’t be able to set a compulsory retirement age below the State Pension age (66) if the employee doesn’t want to retire. 

This initiative aims to ensure consistency and fairness across public and private sectors. It’s part of broader efforts to enhance the State Pension system and support an age-diverse workforce.

Let’s now look at the retirement ages for various professions and employment sectors. 

Various Retirement Ages for Employees in Ireland 

We can categorise the retirement age in Ireland into five groups:

• Mandatory retirement age

• Statutory retirement age

• Retirement age for self-employed workers 

• Retirement age for public servants

• Early retirement

Here’s a closer look at each one. 

1. Mandatory Retirement Age

Many employment contracts have a mandatory retirement age, typically 65. 

Some contracts may offer early retirement options starting from 60 (or even 55). They may even permit early retirement for health reasons.

The company’s policy dictates the mandatory retirement age. 

But look: 

As per Ireland’s Employment Equality Act 2015, an employer can set a mandatory retirement age only if it’s objectively justified by a legitimate aim. 

What’s a legitimate aim?

Some valid justifications include health and safety reasons in a safety-critical job, intergenerational fairness for younger employees, etc. 

These equality legislations help prevent unlawful discrimination on the grounds of age.

If your employer’s reason isn’t justified, you can file a complaint with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to resolve workplace-related disputes. 

2. Statutory Retirement Age

Certain professions have a statutory retirement age, meaning the age of retirement is legally defined in Ireland. 

For instance:

• The statutory retirement age for  Garda Síochána and Defence Forces members is 60, and those who joined after 2004 can choose to retire at age 55.

• Full-time Fire Service members must retire by age 55. Retained firefighters can extend to age 58, subject to a medical assessment and formal process. 

3. Retirement Age for Public Sector Workers

Public service workers' contractual retirement age depends on when they were recruited. 

Here's a breakdown of the different scenarios:

• Recruited before 1 April 2004: If a public sector worker doesn’t reach their compulsory retirement age of 65 before 26 December 2018, they can work until age 70 — subject to health and performance standards.

• Between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012: They don’t have a compulsory retirement age.

• After 1 January 2013: The minimum retirement age is 66, and the mandatory retirement age is 70 years, subject to suitability and health requirements.

4. Retirement Age for Self-Employed Workers

Self-employed individuals generally don’t have a standard retirement age, but specific guidelines may exist. 

For example, General Practitioners (GPs) can continue private practice after 72 years of age if they satisfy the Medical Council's 'fitness to practise' criteria.

5. Early Retirement

If you’re a private sector worker, you can take early retirement — which means retiring before age 65 (usually 60, but sometimes as early as 55, often on health grounds).

This can occur from reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 or due to personal choice.

However, an employee is only eligible for early retirement if their employment contract allows it, and employers must adhere to these terms. 

What if employees want to work beyond the retirement age?

In that case, an employee can request the employer to work beyond their usual retirement age. 

The employer can grant or deny their request subject to the Industrial Relations Act 1990 (Code of Practice on Longer Working) (Declaration) Order 2017 and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission’s retirement and fixed-term contract guidelines. 

You now know when you can retire in Ireland. 

But what can you expect going into retirement? 

Types of Income You Can Expect on Retirement in Ireland  

Here are the primary types of income you can expect in retirement:

1. State Pension (Contributory & Non-Contributory)

State Pension is an old-age income that Ireland’s Department of Social Protection provides. 

As of April 2024, the qualifying age for all State pensions (Contributory & Non-Contributory) is 66 (State Pension age). 

• State Pension (Contributory): 

  • The Irish State Pension (Contributory) is a weekly payment based on an individual's PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) record. 

  • Your entitlement to the State Pension (Contributory) is proportionate to the number of full-rate PRSI contributions made and your retirement date.

  • For example, in 2024, the State Pension (Contributory) is paid at a weekly rate of €277.30 if you’ve made 48 or more yearly PRSI contributions.

• State Pension (Non-Contributory): 

  • The Non-Contributory State Pension is a means-tested payment provided to older people (aged 66 and above) who don’t meet the eligibility requirements for a contributory pension. 

  • The eligibility and pension rate are determined by the individual's means and financial circumstances instead of the number of social insurance contributions. 

  • The maximum weekly rates for State Pension (Non-Contributory) in 2024 are:

    • €266 for individuals aged 66 to 79.

    • €276 for individuals aged 80 and above.

If you have concerns about State Pension contributions or your eligibility, you can contact the Pensions Commission, established in 2020 to address pension-related issues. 

Learn more about Ireland’s State Pension (Contributory) and State Pension (Non-Contributory). 

2. Occupational Pension Scheme

Occupational or workplace pension schemes are employer-sponsored retirement plans that provide consistent payment for people during retirement. 

Popular occupational pension schemes include defined benefit and defined contribution pensions.  

The pension entitlement depends on your salary and the years you worked for your employer. For a defined contribution scheme, the returns also depend on how well the investments perform. 

Check out our Irish Auto-Enrolment Pension guide for more information.

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3. Personal Pension

Personal pensions, such as Retirement Annuity Contracts (RAC) and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSA), are retirement savings accounts set up by individuals. 

These are typically called private pensions.

The pension rate received depends on the individual's total contributions, investment performance, and annuity rates at retirement.

Learn more about these Private Pensions in Ireland. 

4. Social Welfare Benefits

Apart from the State Pension, retirees in Ireland may have access to various social welfare benefit payments based on their specific circumstances. 

These include:

• Medical cards

• Housing supports

• Fuel allowance

• Housing benefits package

• Carer’s allowance

• Living alone allowance

• Back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance

Note: Retired individuals who fulfil PRSI requirements may be eligible for the Jobseeker’s allowance from age 65 to 66.  

5. Annuities

In Ireland, annuities are a popular choice for retirees seeking a steady and guaranteed income during their retirement.

One of the advantages of annuities offered by insurance companies is that you can turn a lump sum of your pension savings into a reliable income stream for a specified period.

How to Plan for Retirement in Ireland: 4 Simple Tips

Financial planning is crucial to enjoy a quality retirement.

To ensure you're well-prepared for this new phase of life, consider the following tips:

• Set retirement goals: Decide at what age you would like to retire. Consider where you would like to live, the activities you want to engage in, and the experiences you wish to have during retirement. 

• Assess current finances: Gather all your financial documents, calculate your net worth, and analyse your income sources and monthly expenses. You can also calculate your pension with a Pension Calculator. This will help you figure out opportunities for saving and financial improvement.

• Create a retirement budget: Begin by calculating and analysing your living costs, such as housing, healthcare, food, transportation, utilities, leisure activities, and other regular expenditures. Remember to account for inflation—the potential increase in the cost of living during your retirement years—and keep up with all new legislation and changes. 

• Take advantage of employer benefits: Workplace pensions boost your retirement savings, as employers typically match a percentage of your contributions. Some schemes may also provide a tax-free lump sum payment on retirement. 

Set the Stage for Sustainable Golden Years

According to Ireland’s employment law, when you retire is generally up to you. 

To avoid legal hassles, double-check your contract of employment for any mandatory retirement age or provisions for early retirement and talk to your employer for more clarity.   

However, age is only one aspect of retirement planning. You must also consider your pension, current financial situation, retirement goals, etc. 

Follow our tips and consult a certified financial advisor to prepare for your golden years in Ireland.