Pension contributions for self-employed people

Here are the rates that self-employed people can contribute to their pensions, which are based on age:

Under 30                                                      15%

30 to 39                                                        20%

40 to 49                                                        25%

50 to 54                                                        30%

55 to 59                                                        35%

60 and over                                                  40%

The maximum amount of earnings that can be taken in to account for calculating tax relief is €115,000. 

This applies for employees and sole traders.

There are no limits on how much can be contributed into a directors pension, but there is an overall limit of the value of the pension fund that a director can have which is €2 million.