The gender pension gap in Ireland: what it is and what you can do about it (2026 update)

What it is and why every woman should care

Let me be direct: women in Ireland face a pension crisis that most of us are not talking about enough. As a financial adviser, a woman and a mother of four who's been in this industry for over 20 years, I see it every day. The gender pension gap is real, it's significant, and it affects your future financial security in ways you might not realise. So, let's talk about what the gender pension gap actually means for you, and more importantly, what you can do about it.

What is the gender pension gap?

In basic terms, the gender pension gap is the difference in private pension pots between men and women. Women aged 65 and over in Ireland receive pensions around 31% lower than men on average, based on Eurostat data for 2024. The ESRI found a 35% gap in private and occupational pension income, and Irish Life's 2025 Gender Pension Parity report found a 36% gap in retirement savings. Women may need to work about eight years longer than men to build the same pension pot.

And here's the real kicker: women statistically live longer than men, which means we need more in our pension pots to last through those extra years. The gender pension gap is significant and needs to be taken seriously. This is not just about numbers on a page. It's about your quality of life in retirement.

Why does this gap exist?

The key driver is the time women take out of employment to care for children. Using my own career as an example, I've been in the financial sector for 24 years and am a mother of four children, so I've taken multiple maternity leaves. This means I need to be more aware of my pension gap and how to manage it. While things are changing regarding paternity leave and men's roles in family caring, the bulk of caring work is still done by women.

Employment and pensions go hand in hand. If you're not working, you miss the tax benefits of pension contributions. Women who take time out of paid employment are missing out on those years of contributions to their pension and the compound growth that builds up over time.

Women are also more likely to be in low-pay, part-time employment, which means lower pension contributions overall.

Will auto-enrolment help?

Ireland's auto-enrolment scheme, MyFutureFund, began in January 2026 and brings in people who do not already have a private pension through payroll, and that's a good thing. However, I do not think it will help the gender pension gap. Why? Because the scheme focuses on paid employment and continues to ignore support for unpaid care work, which is far more likely to be taken on by women.

A 2024 study by the National Women's Council, "Still Stuck in the Gap: Pensions Auto-Enrolment from a Gender and Care Lens", confirms there's little to be positive about in addressing the gender pension gap through auto-enrolment.

The government needs to address the loss of earnings through caring work. What will make a real difference to the gender pension gap is a movement towards a more equitable distribution of caring responsibilities between both partners that will reduce the disproportionate impact on women in terms of loss of income.

While it's very disappointing that auto-enrolment doesn't acknowledge the importance of caring for financial well-being in later life, women can and must be proactive and take the matter into their own hands.

The worrisome mindset we need to change

Over the years, I've noticed that many people believe a pension is and can be a joint project. I've often heard women say that their husbands have a great pension that will cover them, too.

We must change that mindset. Pensions are an individual matter, and women should be encouraged to have their own independent pension pots for the flexibility and security it will give them.

It's essential to encourage women of all ages to build their own strong pension and not see it as selfish to prioritise their financial security, even if their partner already has a good pension. No one knows what the future holds, and we are all entitled to protect our financial security.

What you can do right now

Take an hour and do these five things, in this order.

First, open a pension in your own name if you do not have one. If your employer has a scheme, join it. If not, your employer must give you access to a PRSA and deduct contributions through payroll if you ask. If you are self-employed, a PRSA is the simplest route.

Second, check the tax relief you are entitled to. Contributions attract relief at 20% or 40% up to an age-related percentage of earnings, and a contribution made before the tax return deadline can be set against the previous year's income. Money you are owed by Revenue is the cheapest pension top-up there is.

Third, keep contributing through maternity leave and career breaks where you can, even at a reduced level. The years you miss are the years with the longest to grow.

Fourth, check your State Pension record. Under the Total Contributions Approach, up to 20 years of home caring can be credited towards the State Pension (Contributory). Make sure your caring years are on your record.

Fifth, if you are relying on a partner's pension, find out exactly what it would pay you if they died or you separated. Then decide whether that is a plan or a hope.

My personal and professional perspective

I feel I am living proof of what women experience in their working lives, including time out, juggling family and work, and caring. I have lived it and learned from it.

I am very passionate about this subject because I think there's huge potential for women to achieve better returns and better manage their money. The gender pension gap doesn't have to be your reality if you take action, and do it now, do not wait even longer.

The bottom line

After all, life is hard, working is hard, and we all want to enjoy our retirement. We've earned it. Do not let the gender pension gap rob you of the retirement you deserve. Take control, be proactive, and start building your independent pension today.

If you'd like to discuss your pension situation and put a plan in place, I'm here to help. If you want a sense of the target, see Is €500,000 enough to retire on in Ireland?.

Sources

Eurostat, gender pension gap, 2024 data. ESRI, Gender, pensions and income in retirement (2019). Irish Life, Gender Pension Parity report (2025). National Women's Council of Ireland, Still Stuck in the Gap (2024). Department of Social Protection, Total Contributions Approach and HomeCaring Periods. Figures may change over time; we recommend reviewing current sources when making pension decisions.