Pensions

What is a pension?

A pension (sometimes called a pension scheme) is a long term savings plan to help you build up a pension fund for when you retire. Many pensions have better tax incentives compared to other types of savings. These incentives are to encourage you to start saving into a pension as early as possible for your retirement.

There are many different types of pensions, some are run by your employer called occupational pensions, others can be set up by you which are called private pensions or, if you are working in the public service you will have a public service pension. These types of pensions in addition to the State Pension, are intended to provide you with an income when you retire.

Starting your pension

The steps you should take when starting a pension.

State Pension

The State pension is a regular payment from the Government that most people can claim when they reach the State pension age.

How do you imagine your retired self?

Our future self is, well, in the future, and with so many challenges to deal with right now, we often forget a very important fact: the sooner we start planning for retirement, even with small amounts, the more time we have to grow our savings.

Personal Pensions

A personal pension is a retirement savings plan in which you make contributions either on a regular basis or a once off lump sum.

Occupational

Occupational pension schemes are set up by employers to provide pensions for their employees.

Public service

Public service pensions, including civil service pensions, are occupational pension schemes set up by the Government for employees in the public service, local authorities, or semi-state companies.

Reviewing your pension

It is important to regularly review your pension to ensure proper provision when you retire.

Fees and charges

There are some fees on pension products, learn what they are.

Make a complaint

How and where you make a complaint about your pension will depend on the type of pension you have.

Explainer videos

Eoin McGee, host of CCPC-sponsored TV show How to be Good With Money, presents four videos explaining pension topics.