New rules set to come into effect will mean that eligible employees in Ireland can choose to remain in employment beyond their contractual retirement age until they reach the State Pension age of 66
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke(Image: Collins)
New legislation which will enable qualifying workers to choose to continue working past their contractual retirement age will come into force next week.
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, has confirmed that the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 will take effect on Monday, June 29, ushering in a major new employment entitlement for workers across Ireland.
They may continue in their roles provided their age falls below the State Pension age of 66. Crucially, the Act grants employees autonomy—it does not oblige anyone to continue working if they wish to retire.
The new entitlement will permit employees to formally inform their employer that they do not consent to retire at their contractual retirement age.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke(Image: Collins Photo Agency)
To do so, they must provide:
at least 3 months’ notice, andno more than 12 months’ notice before the intended retirement date
Where a contract stipulates a longer notice period, employees must provide that notice or 6 months (whichever is shorter).
Due to the minimum notice requirement, the earliest contractual retirement date the Act can apply to is September 29, 2026, reports RSVP Live.
Employers must thoroughly consider any notification submitted under the Act.
Where an employer intends to uphold a retirement age, they must:
respond in writing within one monthclearly set out the decision and ensure that it complies with the higher legal threshold set out in the Act
To facilitate implementation, the Minister of State for Small Businesses, Retail and Employment, Alan Dillon TD, has signed into law a revised Code of Practice on Longer Working, produced by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). This will likewise come into force on 29 June 2026.
Minister Peter Burke TD stated: “I am very pleased to announce the commencement of the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 on 29 June, which represents an important step forward in strengthening the rights of older workers in Ireland. This legislation gives employees greater choice and flexibility by allowing them to remain in employment until the State Pension age, if they wish to do so.
“This new employment right delivers on the government’s commitment in response to the Pensions Commission Recommendations and Implementation Plan.”
Minister Alan Dillon TD commented: “This new employment right will give greater choice to employees to continue working where they choose to do so. The Code offers practical, accessible guidance to support both employers and employees in navigating these changes.
“I encourage all employees and employers to familiarise themselves with the Code and the new rights it supports.”
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