Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
52. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps being taken to ensure workers enrolled in the My Future Fund auto-enrolment pension scheme are provided with sufficient information to make informed decisions during the upcoming opt-out period starting in July; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46167/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contained a commitment to introduce the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System. The aim of introducing Automatic Enrolment is to address the pension coverage gap that exists in Ireland and to provide workers with greater comfort and security regarding their retirement income.
The new system - known as MyFutureFund - commenced on the 1st January 2026. To oversee the operation of MyFutureFund, a new State body - the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) - has been established.
All participants are made aware by NAERSA of the opt out window at enrolment stage. Adverts also ran in Q3 2025 and Q1 2026 on different elements of the scheme and to provide awareness that the website www.myfuturefund.ie has all the information necessary for participants and employees. There is also a contact centre which is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm for queries and outside of those hours the website is operational with a chatbot facility for non-personal queries.
NAERSA has responsibility for the running of communications campaigns regarding MyFutureFund since the commencement of enrolments. I have been advised by NAERSA that it recently launched a Summer campaign on social media, print, radio and TV highlighting the benefits of MyFutureFund for participants. Alongside this, my Department will continue to work closely with NAERSA to ensure that stakeholders are aware of the scheme, the easy administration for employers, and the benefits of saving for retirement for employees.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
