Normal retirement

Normal retirement age is the age at which you can retire and take your full benefits under an occupational pension scheme. It can also refer to the age you expect to retire under a personal retirement savings account (PRSA) or a personal pension, also known as a retirement annuity contract (RAC). Taking benefits at normal retirement age ensures that you have the best chance to maximise your retirement benefits and some options or guarantees under your pension arrangement may only apply at normal retirement age.

Occupational pension schemes provide benefits at the scheme’s normal retirement age, which is generally a fixed age between 60 and 70. The most typical normal retirement age is 65.

For PRSAs, retirement benefits can be taken from age 60 with no upper limit. For existing RACs, retirement benefits can be taken from age 60 up to age 75.

There are a relatively small number of professions where Revenue will permit retirement before age 60, such as certain sports people.