1. What is Auto Enrolment?

Auto Enrolment is a new government initiative, called My Future Fund, launching on 1 January 2026. It aims to help more people in the Republic of Ireland save for retirement. Eligible employees who are not currently contributing to a pension via payroll will be automatically enrolled.

2. Who will be automatically enrolled under the government scheme?

You will be auto enrolled if you:

• Are aged 23 to 60
• Earn more than €20,000 per year
• Are not currently paying into a pension via payroll

3. How is The Law Society responding to this initiative?

To meet the requirements of the government’s auto enrolment scheme, The Law Society is introducing a new section within our existing Law Society pension scheme. This will apply to employees who are not currently members of the pension scheme and under the age of 60 on 1 January 2026.

Starting 1 November 2025, The Law Society will contribute 1.5% of your base salary into this new section - matching the employer contribution level required under My Future Fund. This approach ensures that pension options remain simple and accessible, contributions are processed through payroll, and the scheme is future-proofed and aligned with our overall reward strategy.

4. When do the changes take effect?

From 1 November 2025, to ensure pension contributions are processed through payroll ahead of the scheme’s launch on 1 January 2026 and to meet the government’s 13-week look-back requirement.

5. What if I’m already contributing to a pension via payroll?

No action is required. You are already compliant.

6. What if I’m not currently in the pension scheme?

You’ll be automatically enrolled in the new section of the Law Society pension scheme from 1 November 2025, unless:

• You have over 12 months of service, and you choose to join the Law Society’s Hybrid Pension Scheme from 1 November 2025 instead
• You will be aged 60 or over on 1 January 2026

7. What contributions will be made?

Employees with over 12 months of service (not in pension scheme):

• Law Society contributes 1.5% of base salary

You’re not required to contribute, but you may:

• Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) or,
• Join the main Law Society pension scheme for enhanced benefits

Employees with less than 12 months of service:

• Law Society contributes 1.5% of base salary into a new section of the scheme
• Once you reach 12 months, you may join the main Law Society pension scheme if you wish

8. How can I make AVCs if I want to do so?

In early December, you will receive a link from New Ireland to access the pension scheme portal. Through this portal, you can elect to make AVCs.

You can contribute any amount you wish. However, once eligible to join, consider the Law Society’s Hybrid Pension Scheme, as the employer contributions available far exceed the 1.5% provided through this compliance-driven initiative and includes membership of the Permanent Health Insurance (PHI) Scheme. More info on contributions via the Law Society’s Hybrid Pension Scheme are available here.

9. I have just started with the Law Society. How will this affect me?

Effective from your start date, the Law Society will contribute 1.5% of your base salary into this new section of the Law Society pension scheme - matching the employer contribution level required under My Future Fund.

10. Can I opt out of Auto Enrolment?

The government’s My Future Fund scheme includes an opt-out window after initial enrolment. However, employees who opt out will be automatically re-enrolled every three years as long as they remain eligible. In contrast, The Law Society is implementing its own compliance-driven pension solution via a new section of our existing pension scheme. This section is funded solely by employer contributions and does not require any employee contributions.

Because of this structure, it does not fall under the same opt-out provisions as the government scheme, and there is no opt-out option.

11. Where can I find more information about the Law Society pension scheme?

Full details are available here.

12. Who can I contact with questions?

Please contact the HR team at hr@lawsociety.ie.