Auto-Enrolment Delayed Again: What Employers Need to Know (and Do)

The rollout of Ireland’s long-promised auto-enrolment (AE) pension scheme has been delayed once again. Originally set for September 2024, then September 2025, the scheme is now unlikely to launch until at least January 2026, with some experts warning it could be pushed back by two years, or more.

A recent survey conducted by Independent Trustee Company (ITC) found that:

• Nearly 1 in 3 pension advisers expect further delays beyond 2026
• 8% believe the scheme might not launch until 2028 or never
• Over 40% of experts recommend removing current contribution limits to improve retirement outcomes

Under current proposals, employees and employers are restricted to contributing just 1.5% of salary in the first three years, raising major concerns about the adequacy of retirement savings under AE alone.

So, What Should Employers Do?

If you're planning to use AE once it launches:

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✔️ Stay calm. There’s no need to make premature announcements.
✔️ Wait for clear, official timelines before communicating with your workforce.
✔️ Focus on running your business and don’t let pension policy uncertainty derail your plans.

If you already have a private pension scheme in place:

✔️ Leverage it! Now is the time to communicate the benefits of your existing plan to employees.
✔️ Use your scheme as a differentiator, a key part of your Employee Value Proposition (EVP).
✔️ Engage your team by showing how their future is being invested in, today.

In summary, auto-enrolment is a step in the right direction for Ireland’s pension landscape, but delays and restrictions mean employers can’t afford to wait passively. Stay informed, stay strategic and take practical advice from a trusted source.

If you need help navigating your pension communications strategy our experts are here to support.

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