Irish Pension Projection Calculator 2026
See how your pension could grow by retirement. Enter your current age, salary, contributions, and expected return — the calculator applies Revenue's age-based contribution caps and computes tax relief at your marginal rate (20% or 40%).
How is this calculated?
We compound your existing fund and combined monthly contributions (employee + employer) at the expected annual return, using monthly compounding. Tax relief is applied at your marginal rate to the lesser of your stated contribution and the age-based cap (15%–40% of capped earnings; the cap on earnings is €115,000). Investment returns are not guaranteed — the projection assumes your stated rate every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I contribute to a pension in Ireland and get tax relief?
Tax-relieved contribution percentages are age-based: 15% under 30, 20% age 30–39, 25% age 40–49, 30% age 50–54, 35% age 55–59, and 40% age 60+. These percentages apply to a maximum of €115,000 of earnings (the earnings cap). Employer contributions don't count against your personal limit.
What rate of tax relief do I get on pension contributions?
Tax relief is at your marginal rate. If you pay income tax at 40%, every €100 of pension contribution costs you €60 net. If you pay at 20%, €100 costs €80 net. USC and PRSI are still charged on contributions — only income tax relief applies. Higher-rate (40%) taxpayers benefit most.
Should I take advantage of my employer's pension match?
Almost always yes. An employer match is effectively a free salary top-up — turning down a 5% match on €60,000 means giving up €3,000 per year in additional pension funding. Even small matches compound significantly over a career.
What return should I expect from a pension?
Long-run real returns from diversified equity-led pensions have historically been around 4–6% per year after fees and inflation. Conservative funds (more bonds/cash) return less; aggressive funds may return more but with higher year-to-year volatility. Past performance is not a reliable predictor.
What is the Standard Fund Threshold?
The Standard Fund Threshold caps the total tax-relieved value of your pension fund at €2,000,000 (2026). Funds above this threshold are subject to a chargeable excess tax of 40% at retirement. For most workers this isn't a concern, but high earners and senior professionals should plan around it.
Last updated: May 2026 · Rates sourced from Revenue