Pension Auto Enrolment
The Governments Auto Enrolment (AE) pension scheme has moved from blueprint to construction, are you ready?
We are working with employers to ensure they are taking the necessary steps to get AE ready, talk to us today!
Who is eligible?
Anyone employed by you.
All workers over age 23 earning <€20,000 not already in a scheme will be included automatically from 30 September 2025.
CWPS employers may have staff under age 23 and obligations under SEO for some specified workers. For CERS eligibility criteria is set out by employer.
Additional Benefits
The value of the fund will be payable on death. Government’s CPA yet to confirm how. It is unlikely that additional death benefits will be available.
CWPS & CERS have Lump Sum Death Benefits and Sick Pay under scheme. Pension Fund payable in addition.
Comments:
CWPS – Death Benefits and Sick Pay of vital benefits for both employer and employee. Benefits set out under SEO for some specified workers.
CERS – Death Benefits are a valuable part of the remuneration package offered to employees. This is one factor in attracting and retaining staff.
Charges
The CPA will clarify the maximum investment and administration charges that will apply closer to the date.
For CWPS and CERS, the value of charges will be compared to services provided and returns achieved to enable clarity of comparison.
Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)
AVCs are not allowed under Auto Enrolment.
AVCs are a crucial part of the retirement savings plan for many members who wish to provide for meaningful income in retirement. AVC may have to be made to PRSA’s – which can be costly. Will Employers still have to provide access to a PRSA provider and DD for members? This is unclear, but likely.
For CWPS & CERS employers/employees, Regular AVCs and once-offs will be allowed via payroll deduction from personal DD.
Once-off contributions
Flexibility to make once off contributions can be an important HR benefit for employees in attracting and retaining key staff. Once-off contributions will not be allowed under Auto Enrolment. However, it will be allowed for CWPS & CERS employers and/or employees.
Effect on take home pay
There is no tax relief for AE. The full value of contributions will be deducted from your pay.
The same contribution under CWPS or CERS will cost employee more under AE. Instead of tax relief, the Government will make a contribution – see table.
| Years | Employee | Employer | State | Total |
| 1 – 3 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.5% | 3.5% |
| 4 – 6 | 3% | 3% | 1% | 7% |
| 7 – 9 | 4.5% | 4.5% | 1.5% | 10.5% |
| 10+ | 6% | 6% | 2.0% | 14% |
*Employer contributions and the state top-up will be capped at a maximum of €80,000 of an employee’s gross salary.
Retirement Age
AE is in line with State Pension Age – currently 66. There will be no option to retire early.
State pension age is likely to increase to 68. The impact here for employers and members if no early retirement available.
CWPS Normal retirement age is 65. Members can retire from 60 or from 50 if they are no longer working in construction.
CERS Employers can choose a normal retirement age between 60 and 70 for their scheme. Currently, mainly age 65. Members can retire from age 50. Earlier for serious ill health.
Retirement Options
There are no clear view on how this looks yet.
Guidance at retirement provided by CWPS & CERS to their respective members.
For CWPS employers, 25% or up to 1.5X salary can be paid as a lump sum. Balance to Pension. AVCs to Pension or Approved Retirement Fund (ARF). Enhanced annuity rates provided.
For CERS, 25% or up to 1.5X salary can be paid as a lump sum. Balance to Pension or Approved Retirement Fund (ARF). Enhanced annuity rates provided.
Support
Employers are likely to be required to ensure that employees understand the AE scheme and what to to do.
We consider the ongoing support to employers and in particular members, when it comes retirement planning an important part of the scheme. This service is not currently addressed in the plan for AE.
The CWPS team have an employer services and a benefits department to ensure employers and members have access to all of the necessary information and to assist them where required.
CWPS offer toolbox talks on site to members so that staff understand that value of pension contributions, AVCs, death benefits etc.
CERS have a dedicated admin and consultancy team will provide support and assistance to employers and members. CERS meet with members to provide updates and 1:1 services.
Investment and Fund choice
Four Funds available, will be selected by CPA. These Fund details not yet available for comment of comparison.
CWPS has a single investment strategy, which phases members’ Pension Accounts across a range of age-related investment funds. CWPS offers 2 additional funds for AVCs.
CERS has a range of 8 funds available. These include a Standard and ARF Lifestyle Strategy.
Contributions
The rates are as follows:
| Years | Employee | Employer | State | Total |
| 1 – 3 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.5% | 3.5% |
| 4 – 6 | 3% | 3% | 1% | 7% |
| 7 – 9 | 4.5% | 4.5% | 1.5% | 10.5% |
| 10+ | 6% | 6% | 2.0% | 14% |
*Employer contributions and the state top-up will be capped at a maximum of €80,000 of an employee’s gross salary.
First band of contribution under AE is lower than contribution rates under SEO. Current CWPS rates apply. Employers will be able to opt for rates similar to AE in due course.
CERS provides greater flexibility to employers regarding contribution rates and offer bespoke options.
Our Team
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Teamwork is the only way we work.
The team in CPAS have a wide range of knowledge and vast experience in their specific fields. We take a collaborative approach to all the services we provide to ensure clients and pension scheme members have the best outcomes.
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Anne Keogh FCCA FIIPM QPT Head of Trustee Secretariat ServicesAnne works closely with the Trustees of the CWPS & CERS schemes to ensure that all Trustee requirements and obligations are met.
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Damien Starken QFA RPA CERS Pension ConsultantDamien works closely with employers to ensure their employees understand how their CERS arrangement works through annual staff presentations and one to one meetings. Damien helps members to focus on their retirement.
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Darragh Hogan QFA APA Financial Services ConsultantDarragh provides financial advice to companies and individuals via our subsidiary company Milestone Advisory DAC. This advice covers, retirement planning, investment, and protection. To learn more about Darragh and Milestone Advisory click here.
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Frances McNally QFA RPA PTP CERS ManagerFrances manages the CERS Team and works closely with the team to ensure that the regulatory requirements are met. Frances coordinates training and development in the team with the aim of improving the services provided to members’ and employers’ and to create efficiencies in the administration process.
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Jaqueline Manning HR ManagerJacqueline manages the HR function in CPAS, including recruitment, training, and employee relations. Jacqueline works with management to ensure our strategic HR goals are aligned with business initiatives.
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John Geraghty QFA SIA PTP Business Development ConsultantJohn consults with Construction Companies who are looking to implement pension solutions for their staff and assists them in ensuring they have the right solution to meet their company’s needs. John also helps companies ensure that they are getting the most value out of their existing schemes.
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Martin Bradley IIPM QFA CWPS Pension Scheme Administration ManagerMartin manages the team that provide both the Employer and Employee services to the Construction Workers Pension Scheme. Martin also manages the Construction Workers Sick Pay Trust.
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Niall Connaughton BA H-Dip MSc QFA RPA LCI Senior Compliance, Information Security & Data Protection OfficerIn an everchanging regulatory landscape, Niall is responsible for managing compliance, information security and data protection matters in CPAS.
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Susan O’Mara QFA RPA PTP Business Development ManagerSusan manages the business development activities within CPAS, responsible for new business, marketing & communications. Susan is a Director of Milestone Advisory responsible for the insurance/reinsurance mediation business.
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Thomas Farrelly IT ManagerThomas manages the IT department in CPAS. He is responsible for delivering the secure and modern technical infrastructure that CPAS depends on for its efficient operation.
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Yvonne O’Brien FCCA Finance ManagerYvonne manages the finance function for CPAS along with managing finance function for CWPS, CERS, Construction Workers Sick Pay Trust and Milestone Advisory.
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Kevin Walsh FIIPM QFA Head of OperationsKevin has overall responsibility for all the operational aspects of CPAS, managing activities across all departments. Kevin is also a Director of Milestone Advisory DAC.
Our sub-entities
Construction Workers Pension Scheme
The Construction Workers' Pension Scheme (CWPS), is a multi-employer occupational pension scheme providing pensions solutions for workers in the construction and related industries.
Milestone Advisory DAC
Milestone Advisory DAC t/a Milestone Advisory is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland to provide financial advice to members of the construction and related industries.
Construction Executive Retirement Savings
CERS is an industry wide multi-employer scheme offering bespoke solutions to the Construction and related industries.
Construction Workers Sick Pay Trust
The Construction Workers Sick Pay Trust covers active members of the CWPS for a Sick Pay benefit of €48.00 per day payable while they are absent from work through illness or injury.
Construction Industry Retirement Trust
CIRT provides a flexible pension arrangement to meet the retirement planning needs of self-employed individuals and employees with no pension provision in place, who are employed within the construction and related industries.
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Construction Workers Pension Scheme
The Construction Workers' Pension Scheme (CWPS), is a multi-employer occupational pension scheme providing pensions solutions for workers in the construction and related industries.
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Milestone Advisory DAC
Milestone Advisory DAC t/a Milestone Advisory is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland to provide financial advice to members of the construction and related industries.
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Construction Executive Retirement Savings
CERS is an industry wide multi-employer scheme offering bespoke solutions to the Construction and related industries.
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Construction Workers Sick Pay Trust
The Construction Workers Sick Pay Trust covers active members of the CWPS for a Sick Pay benefit of €48.00 per day payable while they are absent from work through illness or injury.
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Construction Industry Retirement Trust
CIRT provides a flexible pension arrangement to meet the retirement planning needs of self-employed individuals and employees with no pension provision in place, who are employed within the construction and related industries.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the product and billing.
This depends on whether you are looking at defined workers under the Sectoral Employment Orders (Link) or another cohort of staff. CPAS will assist you in planning this by helping you evaluate what the industry average is offering and try to aim for that. Employers who prioritise their Pension scheme attract and retain the high level of employees their company needs to succeed. As a HR Professional you can schedule a meeting with a member of our team to help you understand the pension basics to equip you to discuss pensions and to ensure that you can utilise this valuable benefit to attract and retain staff. Our team can also talk to you about health and financial wellness initiatives that can be rolled out to staff also.
This depends on whether you are looking at defined workers under the Sectoral Employment Orders (Link) or another cohort of staff. CPAS will assist you in planning this by helping you evaluate what the industry average is offering and try to aim for that. Employers who prioritise their Pension scheme attract and retain the high level of employees their company needs to succeed. As an HR Professional you can schedule a meeting with a member of our team to help you understand the pension basics to equip you to discuss pensions and to ensure that you can utilise this valuable benefit to attract and retain staff. Our team can also talk to you about health and financial wellness initiatives that can be rolled out to staff also.
This depends on whether you are looking at defined workers under the Sectoral Employment Orders (Link) or another cohort of staff. CPAS will assist you in planning this by helping you evaluate what the industry average is offering and try to aim for that. Employers who prioritise their Pension scheme attract and retain the high level of employees their company needs to succeed. As a HR Professional you can schedule a meeting with a member of our team to help you understand the pension basics to equip you to discuss pensions and to ensure that you can utilise this valuable benefit to attract and retain staff. Our team can also talk to you about health and financial wellness initiatives that can be rolled out to staff also.
This depends on whether you are looking at defined workers under the Sectoral Employment Orders or another cohort of staff. CPAS will assist you in planning this by helping you evaluate what the industry average is offering and try to aim for that. Employers who prioritise their Pension scheme attract and retain the high level of employees their company needs to succeed. As a HR Professional you can schedule a meeting with a member of our team to help you understand the pension basics to equip you to discuss pensions and to ensure that you can utilise this valuable benefit to attract and retain staff. Our team can also talk to you about health and financial wellness initiatives that can be rolled out to staff also.
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