Your pension & AVCs
Two pension deductions appear on every public-service payslip. This page explains what they fund, what ASC is, and how Additional Voluntary Contributions work, including the age-related limits and the tax relief available.
Which scheme you are in
Scheme membership is determined by when you first joined the public service. Anyone starting internship from 2013 onward, which covers nearly every current NCHD, is a member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.
| Joined | Scheme | Model | Min. pension age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 or later | Single Scheme | Career average | State Pension age (66) |
| 2004 to 2012 | Pre-existing, new entrant | Final salary | 65 |
| Before 2004 | Pre-existing | Final salary | 60 |
The Single Scheme is a career-average scheme. Each year you accrue “referable amounts”: 0.58% of that year’s pensionable pay up to approximately 3.74 times the State Pension and 1.25% above that toward your annual pension, plus 3.75% toward a retirement lump sum. Accrued amounts are uprated with CPI and never reduced, benefits vest after 24 months, and the State Pension (about €15,600 a year at 2026 rates) is paid in addition, based on your PRSI record.
What you pay in
Two separate deductions, both relieved against income tax at your marginal rate but not against USC or PRSI:
| Deduction | How it is calculated |
|---|---|
| Single Scheme contribution | 3% of pensionable pay + 3.5% of pensionable pay above ~€31,235 |
| ASC (Single Scheme member) | 0% to €34,500 · 3.33% to €60,000 · 3.5% above |
Additional Voluntary Contributions
AVCs are additional pension savings with tax relief at your marginal rate, which is 40% for most doctors. A €100 AVC reduces take-home pay by about €60, grows free of tax, and part is returned as a tax-free lump sum at retirement. For the tax treatment of other savings, the investing guide sets out how the alternatives are taxed.
The amount you can contribute with relief depends on age:
| Age | Limit (% of gross, capped at €115,000) |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | 15% |
| 30 to 39 | 20% |
| 40 to 49 | 25% |
| 50 to 54 | 30% |
| 55 to 59 | 35% |
| 60 and over | 40% |
Your AVC headroom
The mandatory pension figure is estimated on Single Scheme rates when gross earnings change; replace it with the figure from your own payslip for accuracy. ASC is not deducted because it does not reduce AVC headroom. Net cost assumes 40% relief, which applies while taxable income is above the standard-rate band. Contributions made by 31 October (18 November if paying and filing through ROS) can be backdated against the previous year's income.
The October deadline
Other pension rules
Auto-enrolment does not apply to HSE doctors. My Future Fund launched in January 2026, but anyone already contributing to a payroll pension is outside its scope. The Standard Fund Threshold is rising: €2.2 million in 2026, increasing by €200,000 a year to €2.8 million in 2029. This mainly affects consultants with long AVC histories. AVC providers are not interchangeable. The schemes marketed to doctors differ mainly in their annual management charge, and the difference between 1% and 0.5% compounds substantially over a career. Compare charges before committing to any provider.
Sources
- Single Public Service Pension Scheme: scheme FAQ and member guides
- DPER Circular 03/2021: minimum pension and compulsory retirement ages
- publicservicepensions.gov.ie: ASC rates and thresholds
- Revenue: pension contribution relief limits and earnings cap
- Revenue: 2026 pay and file deadlines (eBrief 034/26)
- Revenue: standard fund threshold and chargeable excess tax
- gov.ie: auto-enrolment (My Future Fund) questions answered
More money guides
This is general information for the 2026 tax year, last reviewed 4 August 2026. It is not financial, tax, or investment advice. For decisions about your own circumstances, consult the official sources linked on each page or a qualified professional. MedPath is not affiliated with the HSE or Revenue.