My Future Fund – Set to Begin January 2026
- barboramatusinska
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, has officially announced a revised start date for the My Future Fund, Ireland’s new national auto-enrolment retirement savings scheme.
Originally set for 30 September 2025, the collection of contributions will now begin on 1 January 2026. This adjustment is designed to align the scheme with the standard tax year, helping to simplify implementation for employers, payroll providers and employees.
By doing so, businesses will have additional time to prepare and ensure their systems are compliant and ready for launch.
Why the Change?
The deferral allows payroll software providers to deliver updates as part of their regular annual tax year release, ensuring smoother integration and minimising disruption. Employers, in turn, gain more time to adapt their payroll processes without facing a mid-year change.
Preparing for Launch
The Department of Social Protection is working closely with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and the Payroll Software Developers Association (PSDA) to finalise the scheme’s systems. Development, integration, and testing efforts are currently ongoing to support a smooth rollout.
Meanwhile, the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) is expected to begin eligibility assessments prior to the January start. This step ensures that the infrastructure is ready, and that eligible employees can begin saving from Day 1.
Who Will Be Affected?
Over 800,000 employees are anticipated to begin participating in My Future Fund, marking a significant step forward in improving retirement readiness across Ireland. Employers are reminded that they are not required to collect contributions before 1 January 2026, but should begin preparing now.
Communication Strategy
A three-phase communications strategy is set to launch over the summer, aiming to raise awareness among employees, employers, and the wider public. This campaign will provide guidance on how the scheme works and what stakeholders need to do to prepare.
Is Your Business Ready for My Future Fund?
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