Pensions & Retirement

Pensions and Retirement

There are currently three different primary teacher pension schemes: –

  1. The Old Entrant Pension Scheme – teachers who began teaching up to 1st April 2004 joined this scheme.
  2. The New Entrant Pension Scheme – teachers who began teaching between 1st April 2004 to 1 January 2013 joined this scheme.
  3. The Single Public Service Pension – teachers who began teaching from 1 January 2013 – to the present date are members of this scheme.

A teacher will remain in the pension scheme they started teaching under unless they have a break in service of 26 weeks. If a teacher has a 26 week break in service they move to the newest pension scheme at the time when they return to teaching.

What is a Break in Service for Pension Purposes?

A break in service is where for a teacher resigned and was out of employment/contract (or working as a substitute teacher) and did not work for 26 weeks or more.

  • If you were a member of the Old Entrant Pension Scheme and had a break between 2004 and 2012, you would have moved into the New Entrant Pension on your return.
  • If you had a break in service from 2013 onwards then you move into the Single Public Service Pension Scheme upon your return to teaching.

NOTE: Approved leave is not a break, i.e. career break, maternity, parental, carer’s leave, sick leave etc. are approved leave types and therefore are not viewed as a break in service.

Updated August 2023

Overview of Teachers’ Pension Schemes

Teachers’ Pension Scheme

Old Entrant

Commenced Employment up to 31 March 2004

Teachers’ Pension Scheme

New Entrant

Commenced Employment from 1 April 2004  –  Class A PRSI

Single Public Service Pension Scheme

Commenced  Employment from 1 January 2013  –  Class A PRSI

If teacher only has Class D PRSI they will receive their pension in full from the Department of Education.

If teacher has any Class A PRSI they will receive  a co-ordinated pension, i.e. DE pay a portion and Department of Social Protection pay a portion

(pension is calculated based on final salary)

 

Will receive a co-ordinated pension, i.e. DE pay a portion and Department of Social Protection pay a portion

 

(pension is calculated based on final salary)

Will receive a co-ordinated pension i.e. DE pay a portion and Department of Social Protection pay a portion

 

(pension is calculated based on career average salary)

Compulsory retirement at age 70 No compulsory retirement age Compulsory retirement at age 70
Full pension after 40 Years Full pension after 40 years Lump sum and pension calculated based on pensionable remuneration in each pay period.
Normal Retirement at age 60 irrespective of service (minimum of 2 years) Normal Retirement at age 65 irrespective of service (minimum of 2 years) Normal Retirement age is the same as the eligibility age for the Contributory State Pension currently age 66
Voluntary Retirement from age 55 onwards provided minimum 35 years’ service (See Voluntary Early Retirement) Any retirement between age 55 and age 65 on a cost neutral basis only Any retirement between age 55 and 66 on a cost neutral basis only
Cost Neutral Retirement Available from Age 50 Cost Neutral Retirement Available from Age 55 Cost Neutral Retirement Available from Age 55

Still have questions?

Submit your query by email to INTO. Please include your payroll or membership number.