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Everything below is set up for you by your own senior advisor.
Or Freephone 1800 808 808 and a senior advisor takes it from there.
For HSE staff, teachers, civil and public servants. Your scheme explained, your shortfall worked out, and AVCs compared and set up by a senior advisor.
Two minutes online. Tell us your employer, when you joined and when you want to retire, and a senior advisor is in touch.
Tax relief, contribution limits and the right plan differ between the three.
Stored securely, never sold. Used only to come back to you about your request.
A confirmation email is on its way to you, and a senior financial advisor is reviewing what you sent and will be in touch. Want to get ahead in the diary? Book your discovery call, or Freephone 1800 808 808.
Most public servants who joined on or after 1 January 2013 are in the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. It is a career average scheme. Each year you bank amounts towards a retirement lump sum and a pension, based on that year's pay, and they are increased for inflation.
Normal retirement age in the Single Scheme is the State Pension age, currently 66, with a compulsory retirement age of 70 for most members. If you joined before 2013, you are likely in a final salary scheme, where the pension and lump sum depend on your pay at the end of your career and your years of service.
| Feature | Single Scheme, joined from 2013 | Pre-2013 schemes |
|---|---|---|
| Benefits based on | Pay over your whole career, revalued for inflation | Final pay and years of service |
| Pension | Amounts banked each year from your pay | In the established civil service scheme, 1/80th of pay for each year |
| Lump sum | Amounts banked each year from your pay | In the established civil service scheme, 3/80ths of pay for each year, up to 1.5 times pay |
| Normal retirement age | State Pension age, currently 66 | Set by your scheme |
| Early retirement | From 55 with 24 months of contributions, actuarially reduced | Set by your scheme |
| Buying more | Additional referable amounts, or AVCs | Notional service, or AVCs |
Additional voluntary contributions top up your public sector pension. They go into a separate fund in your name, invested for you, and they get income tax relief at your marginal rate. A higher-rate taxpayer pays €60 for every €100 that goes in.
Relief is limited by age, from 15% of earnings under 30 to 40% at 60 and over, on earnings up to €115,000, and your own main scheme contributions count towards the limit. Public sector AVC schemes are generally sponsored by trade unions. We compare your scheme's AVC option with an AVC PRSA and set up the one that fits.
If you will not reach full service by retirement, you may be able to buy more. Serving civil servants in pre-2013 schemes who will have at least nine years' service by 60 or 65, but less than 40 years, can buy notional service by regular contributions or a lump sum.
Single Scheme members buy additional referable amounts instead: extra pension or extra lump sum. Notional service and AVCs are different things. One buys more scheme benefits based on your pay. The other builds an invested fund. We compare the cost of each against the benefit you get.
The form on this page: your employer, when you joined and when you want to retire.
We go through your benefit statement and service record with you.
Your projected pension and lump sum against what you want, in figures.
AVCs, notional service or referable amounts, cost against benefit.
We set up what you choose and review it every year.
We (Richie and Nickey) received excellent pension advice that was clear, honest, and tailored to my situation. Everything was explained in a way we could easily understand, and we felt confident making decisions about my future. Highly professional service and very reassuring throughout the process.
They made setting up a company pension on a deadline extremely easy and stress free. You can tell they understand the products inside out. Very approachable, great availability for support with instant and clear answers.
True Wealth was super efficient in locating my UK pension. They were very professional and responsive in dealing with the relevant pension organization. I would highly recommend True Wealth.
Thank you for the several calls to advise me. Great client attention! Eimear is fantastic! I had my pension sorted and a few insurances arranged. All the best.
Excellent service. Always there if I had any questions, would recommend without hesitation. A 5 star service. Thank you everyone.
Straight answers with the figures. If yours is not here, a senior advisor answers it in your review.
Members aged at least 55 with 24 months of contributions can apply to their employer for early retirement. The pension and lump sum are actuarially reduced, and the further you are from your normal retirement age, the bigger the permanent reduction.
The first €200,000 of retirement lump sums across all your pensions is tax-free. The next €300,000 is taxed at 20%. Your scheme rules and Revenue limits set the maximum lump sum.
Yes, at your marginal rate of 20% or 40%, within age-related limits of 15% to 40% of earnings and an earnings cap of €115,000. Your main scheme contributions count towards the limit.
AVC benefits follow your main scheme. They are taken when you retire, subject to the scheme rules and the Revenue limits for occupational pensions.
It depends on the cost of the service, how close you are to retirement and how much investment risk you want. Notional service buys more scheme benefit. AVCs build a fund whose value can go down as well as up. We compare both in euro.
Yes. Teachers, HSE staff, local authority staff and civil servants are all public servants, and the scheme you are in depends mainly on when you joined. Your benefit statement shows which one.
Checked 7 October 2026.
Warning: The value of your investment may go down as well as up.
Warning: If you invest in this product you may lose some or all of the money you invest.
Warning: Past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance.
Two minutes online, then a senior advisor is in touch with your figures and your options.