State Pension Ireland 2026 — Up to €299.30 per week
State Pension in Ireland
The Irish State Pension pays up to €299.30 per week from age 66. Here is how much you can get, how many PRSI contributions you need, how immigrants qualify, and what the difference is between the Contributory and Non-Contributory pension.
State Pension Ireland 2026 — At a glance
- Maximum rate (Contributory)
- €299.30/week
- Maximum rate (Non-Contributory)
- Up to €264/week
- Pension age
- 66 (rising to 67 in 2031)
- Min. contributions
- 520 paid (10 years)
- Taxable
- Yes — Income Tax only
- Apply
- 3 months before 66th birthday
Key facts — State Pension 2026
State Pension (Contributory) — rates by average contributions
The rate of State Pension (Contributory) you receive depends on your yearly average PRSI contributions over your working life. Contribution years are calculated from when you first entered insurable employment to the year before you reach pension age.
| Yearly average PRSI contributions | 2026 weekly rate |
|---|---|
| 48 or more | €299.30 |
| 40–47 | €292.40 |
| 30–39 | €271.00 |
| 20–29 | €249.80 |
| 15–19 | €195.70 |
| 10–14 | €153.40 |
| Fewer than 10 — no entitlement | €0 |
Who qualifies for the State Pension (Contributory)?
- You are aged 66 or over
- You have paid at least 520 PRSI contributions (Classes A, E, F, G, H, N or S)
- You first entered insurable employment before age 56
State Pension — immigrants and people who worked abroad
The State Pension (Contributory) is based entirely on your PRSI contribution record. Nationality does not matter — anyone who worked and paid PRSI in Ireland for at least 10 years (520 contributions) is entitled to a pension.
Worked in another EU/EEA country?
Ireland has social security coordination agreements with all EU and EEA countries. If you have contributions in both Ireland and another EU/EEA state, those contributions can be combined to help you reach the 520 minimum threshold. Each country then pays you a pension proportional to the contributions paid there (called a pro-rata pension).
Bilateral agreements (non-EU countries):
Ireland has bilateral social security agreements with certain non-EU countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Quebec and several others. These allow contributions paid in those countries to be combined with Irish PRSI for qualification purposes.
State Pension (Non-Contributory)
If you do not have enough PRSI contributions for the Contributory pension, you may qualify for the State Pension (Non-Contributory) if:
- You are aged 66 or over
- You are habitually resident in Ireland
- Your means (income, savings, property) are below a certain threshold
The maximum rate is €264 per week. Every €2.50 of weekly means above €7.60 reduces the payment by €2.50 per week.
How to apply for the State Pension
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Check your PRSI record
Request a copy of your PRSI contribution statement from the Department of Social Protection (via MyWelfare.ie or in writing). This shows how many contributions you have paid and helps you plan your pension application.
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Apply 3 months before your 66th birthday
Use form SPC1 (Contributory) or SPNC1 (Non-Contributory), available from Intreo Centres or gov.ie. You can also apply online via MyWelfare.ie.
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Provide required documents
You will need your PPS number, birth certificate, and details of all employment (and overseas employment, if applicable). For the Non-Contributory pension, you also need to provide details of all income and savings.
-
Receive your pension
If approved, the pension is paid weekly to your nominated bank account. You can choose to have it paid on any day of the week.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the State Pension in Ireland in 2026?
Up to €299.30 per week for those with an average of 48+ PRSI contributions per year. Lower averages give lower rates. The Non-Contributory pension (means-tested) pays up to €264 per week.
At what age do you get the State Pension in Ireland?
Age 66 in 2026. It is scheduled to increase to 67 in 2031 and 68 in 2039. You can defer claiming after 66 for a higher rate.
How many PRSI contributions do I need?
A minimum of 520 paid contributions (about 10 years of work). The maximum rate requires a yearly average of 48+ contributions. The Total Contributions Approach also gives credit for Home Caring periods.
Can immigrants get the Irish State Pension?
Yes. Nationality does not matter — what counts is your PRSI contribution record. Contributions from EU/EEA countries and certain other countries with bilateral agreements can also be combined with Irish contributions.
What is the difference between Contributory and Non-Contributory pension?
Contributory is based on PRSI contributions and is not means-tested (up to €299.30/week). Non-Contributory is means-tested and for people without enough contributions (up to €264/week).
Can self-employed people get the State Pension?
Yes. Self-employed people pay PRSI Class S, which qualifies for the State Pension (Contributory). The same contribution rules apply.
What happens if I worked in another EU country?
EU social security coordination rules allow contributions from other EU/EEA countries to be combined with Irish PRSI to reach the 520-contribution threshold. Each country then pays you a proportional pension.
- You do not automatically receive the State Pension at 66 — you must apply, ideally 3 months before your 66th birthday.
- The pension age is 66, not 65 — legislation changed the age from 65 to 66 in 2014. It will increase to 67 in 2031.
- The Non-Contributory pension is means-tested — it is not a fallback for everyone who reaches 66; income, savings and assets are assessed.
- If you took time out of work to care for children or dependants, the Total Contributions Approach (TCA) may give you Home Caring Periods that significantly increase your pension rate — always request a PRSI statement before assuming you will receive a low rate.
- Contributions from other EU/EEA countries can be combined with Irish PRSI to help reach the 520-contribution minimum.
- You can defer your pension after age 66 and receive a higher rate — deferring by 1 year increases your weekly payment by approximately 6.5%.
Official sources
This page is reviewed against official Irish government guidance and updated whenever State Pension rates or contribution requirements change.
This page was reviewed against official Irish government guidance and updated to reflect 2026 State Pension rates and contribution requirements.