The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, released a press statement last week confirming 1 January 2026 as the start date for the Automatic Enrolment retirement savings system which will be known as “My Future Fund”. The rescheduling of the start date from 30 September this year is to provide additional preparation time for payroll providers and employers and will also facilitate the alignment of the new system with the standard tax year.
The Minister noted in his press release that the additional time means payroll providers will be able to incorporate any changes that may arise from Budget 2026 this autumn resulting in employers being required to make only one update to their payroll systems. The additional lead-in time for employers, particularly small and micro businesses, is to ensure compliance with the legislation from the outset.
The press release advises employers to ensure that they are ready to begin paying contributions as soon as they receive notice from the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA).
The Department of Social Protection will continue its engagement with the Payroll Software Developers Association (PSDA) to ensure payroll software developers are fully aware of the technical specifications required to accommodate My Future Fund on their platforms. The appointment of the investment managers through the ongoing tender process will also continue.
Further information and resources are available on the Government’s Auto-Enrolment Hub.
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