Why Higher-Rate Taxpayers Benefit More from Private Pensions Than Auto-Enrolment

As Ireland prepares for the rollout of its new Auto-Enrolment (AE) retirement savings system, many employees—particularly higher-rate taxpayers—are asking a simple question:

“Should I rely on Auto-Enrolment or continue contributing to my employer’s private pension scheme?”

While AE is designed to help workers who aren’t currently saving, it is not the most efficient retirement solution for those already eligible to join a company pension. In fact, employees paying tax at 40% can be significantly better off by staying in, or opting into, a traditional employer pension scheme instead of relying on Auto-Enrolment.

Here’s why.

1. Higher Tax Relief: 40% vs Government Top-Up

One of the biggest advantages of private pensions is tax relief on employee contributions.

• Private Pension:Employees earning at the higher rate receive 40% income tax relief on contributions.This means every €60 you contribute costs you only €36 after tax relief.

• Auto-Enrolment:The Government effectively provides 25% relief through a top-up.This is dramatically lower than the tax relief available through regular pension contributions.

The difference is stark:

When you put in…	Into Private Pension (40% Relief)	Into Auto-Enrolment (Government top-up)
€100 into your pot	Costs you €60 personally	Costs you €100 personally

For higher-rate taxpayers, Auto-Enrolment is simply not as tax-efficient.

2. Employer Contributions Are Typically Better

Many employers already offer contribution matching (e.g., 1% to 5%). These employer contributions:

• Are usually higher than the AE minimum requirements

• Apply immediately—no phased ramp-up

• Don’t require the employee to “opt back in” repeatedly

In contrast, under AE:

• Employer contributions start much lower

• They increase gradually over a decade

• They are capped by statutory minimums

When employers already operate a company pension, the employer contribution is almost always superior to AE.

3. Better Investment Choice and Lower Fees

Private pension schemes (including PRSAs and occupational DC plans) typically offer:

• Broader investment fund choices

• Lower charges negotiated at company level

• Access to risk-rated portfolios aligned with personal goals

• Independent financial advice built in

Auto-Enrolment, by design, offers:

• A restricted set of default funds

• No personal advice

• A one-size-fits-all glidepath

• A State-appointed central administrator

For long-term retirement outcomes, customised investment options and professional advice can make a substantial difference.

4. Professional Guidance and Financial Planning

A private pension through your employer comes with access to a qualified financial adviser who can help with:

• Choosing appropriate risk levels

• Reviewing your pension annually

• Planning for retirement income

• Coordinating pension savings across multiple employments

Auto-Enrolment explicitly does not provide personalised advice.

For a higher-rate taxpayer, the value of advice—and its impact on long-term outcomes—can be significant.

5. Flexibility and Control

Private pensions offer:

• Ability to increase or decrease contributions easily

• Options for Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)

• Early retirement options (within Revenue rules)

• More transparency and control over how your pension is invested

AE, on the other hand:

• Has fixed contribution rates

• Limited investment flexibility

• No early access (other than the standard retirement age)

• Automatic re-enrolment even if you previously opted out

For financially engaged individuals, this lack of flexibility is a limitation.

6. Higher Pension Pot at Retirement

When you combine:

• Higher tax relief

• Higher employer contributions

• Better fund options

• Lower charges

• Personalised advice

…the long-term projected benefit is clear:Higher-rate taxpayers who stay in private pensions will, on average, retire with significantly larger pension pots than those who rely on Auto-Enrolment.

This is not a marginal difference—it compounds year after year.

Conclusion: Auto-Enrolment Helps Some, But Not Higher-Rate Taxpayers

Auto-Enrolment is a positive step for Ireland. It will bring hundreds of thousands of workers into retirement saving for the first time.

But for employees who already have access to a private employer pension—especially those paying tax at 40%—AE is not the best-value option.

A private pension gives you:

• Better tax relief

• Better employer contributions

• Better investment choices

• Better long-term financial outcomes

  
  

If you're unsure which route is best for you, or you want to quantify the financial benefit, our team can run personalised projections comparing your current pension to Auto-Enrolment.