Single Public Service Scheme

The contribution rates for the Single Public Service Pension are 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of gross pensionable remuneration. This contribution automatically includes pensions for spouses or civil partners and eligible children.

To be eligible to receive a benefit under the scheme, you must have contributed to the scheme for 24 months or more. This is the vesting period. If you complete the qualifying period, the benefits that may be payable under the scheme are:

• Annual pension and lump sum on retirement
• Death benefits which may include a pension if you are survived by an eligible spouse, civil partner or dependent children
• Access to apply for cost neutral early retirement
• Access to apply for ill-health or disability retirement

The retirement age is linked to the state retirement age which is currently 66. The compulsory retirement age is 70.

If you are at least 55 years old, you may be eligible to avail of a cost neutral early retirement pension and lump sum. Retiring on a cost neutral basis means that a teacher’s pension will be actuarially reduced to take into account the early payment of lump sum and the longer period over which pension will be paid. More information can be found in DPENDPR Circular 0018/2017.

The Single Pension Scheme is a defined benefits scheme. It is not based on investments in the stock market. However, it is based on your career average salary and not your final salary. An estimate of your final pension can be calculated below.

See the Pension Estimator here.

You may also be entitled to receive the Contributory State Pension, depending on your PRSI contributions. Currently, the maximum personal weekly rate for the State Pension is €277.30, which you may be entitled to receive in addition to your Single Pension Scheme benefits.

An entitlement to receive the Contributory State Pension is based on your PRSI contributions. As a member of the Single Pension Scheme, you make Class A pension contributions. In order to qualify for the Contributory State Pension, you must be aged 66 or over, and have made at least 520 (10 years) full-rate PRSI contributions.

Any Class A contributions are counted as full-rate contributions for Contributory State Pension purposes. In order to receive the maximum rate of Contributory State Pension, you must have made at least 2080 (40 years) reckonable contributions (of which 520 must be full-rate PRSI contributions).

If you are on unpaid leave, and no longer making compulsory PRSI contributions, you can opt to make voluntary contributions. These voluntary contributions can maintain your PRSI record and help you qualify for long-term benefits such as your pension. They do not cover short term benefits for illness, maternity leave etc.

You must have made 520 paid PRSI contributions (10 years) to be eligible to make voluntary contributions. You must apply to start making your voluntary contributions within 5 years of the last tax year in which you made PRSI contributions. As a member of the Single Pension Scheme, making Class A contributions, you must make voluntary contributions equal to 6.6% of your reckonable income in the previous tax year, subject to a minimum payment of €500. You will stop paying voluntary contributions either when you reach 66 years of age or start paying PRSI again.

You should receive your Annual Benefit Statement by the 30 June each year from the Department of Education. Your Statement is a summary of your scheme benefits as at the 31 December in the previous year.

Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC) was introduced on 1 January 2019 and is a permanent contribution in respect of pensionable remuneration. ASC confers no additional pension benefits but underpins the sustainability of public pensions. The rates are lower for teachers in the Single scheme.

The table below details the current rates of ASC payable by members of the Single Pension Scheme.

Band	Rate
Up to €34,500	Exempt
Next €25,500 (€34,500 to €60,000)	3.33%
Balance (€60,000 plus)	3.5%

No. It is a condition of employment that teachers who are appointed to pensionable positions and who are under 70 years of age on commencing pensionable employment, are required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.

Yes, there are currently two options should you wish to top-up/add to your pension.

Purchase of Additional Retirement Benefit (PARB)

When you are in the Single Pension Scheme, you can purchase additional retirement benefits with the Department. To request a quote for the cost of purchasing additional benefits, you must complete an SPS 5 Form and forward it to the DE Pensions Unit. There is a limit of one purchase annually by lump sum payment.
Please refer to DPENDPR Circular 0015/2019 for more detailed information.

Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)

We would advise members to contact Cornmarket or a financial adviser for more information on AVCs. AVCs can be arranged to come out of your salary on a fortnightly basis so it can be a more flexible way to top up your pension.

For more information visit Increasing my Pension Pot and Financial Planning.

If you have completed the vesting period of the Single Pension Scheme (contributed to the Scheme for 24 months or more) then you have attained vested status, and cannot claim a refund of your pension contributions, as you have earned an entitlement to pension benefits. This applies to all Public Sector work you might engage in, not just teaching.

If you are working as a casual substitute, then each day worked counts as one day towards your 24 months of contributions to the Scheme. These contributions do not need to be consecutive. Once you have accumulated 730 days as a substitute, you have vested status, and are not entitled to a refund.

If have resigned from your teaching post at least 3 months ago, to take up work outside of the Public Service, and if you have not contributed to the Scheme for 24 months or more, then you may request a refund of your pension contributions from the Department of Education. Teachers wishing to claim a refund of their pension contributions should complete Form R002.