FUTURE PROOFING PENSIONS 

The National Pensions Summit 2026 in association with Irish Life returns to Croke Park, Dublin on 28 January 2026, at a time when the Irish pensions’ sector is undergoing yet another transformative change. As we venture into unchartered territory where for the first time ever, every worker in Ireland will ostensibly ‘have a pension’, it’s time to redefine the key challenges and opportunities facing our industry and explore what really matters in this new pension world. The conversation around pensions now naturally gravitates toward adequacy, the importance of championing financially literacy, the role of holistic financial wellbeing and the hallmarks of a standout master trust.

With auto-enrolment officially underway, both public and private sector employers are navigating a new landscape in retirement planning, one that demands clarity, commitment, proactive engagement, and ongoing evolution. So, this year’s Summit will focus on resilience, proactivity and driving better members outcomes.

Expert speakers will discuss what this new pension era means for employers, trustees, advisors, and policymakers. How do we improve member outcomes in a world that now includes more people, but may not necessarily offer more opportunities to embrace financial literacy? And how can employers deliver meaningful communication and inclusive benefit structures in an increasingly segmented and digital-first workforce?

From legislative and regulatory developments, to examining better ways to engage younger generations, we harness international insights and unpack new challenges and opportunities like the sustainability of existing State supports against the backdrop of an aging workforce, alongside emerging new forces like in-scheme drawdown, new investment pathways  and defined benefit risk transfer trends. This year’s Summit is a must-attend for those leading out in the workplace benefit programme space, or devising and delivering pension strategy in workplaces across Ireland.

Attendees will hear from thought leaders across Ireland, the UK and Europe, including policymakers, behavioural economists, investment strategists, legal experts, tech innovators and senior executives from major pension schemes and employers. Our focus remains practical, relevant, forward-looking, and collaborative.

Now more than ever, pensions must serve not just as long-term financial tools, but as pillars of successful benefits programmes and drivers of employee wellbeing, organisational resilience and social progress. So if you are an employer, then come along and join us on 28 January at the National Pensions Summit 2026 in association with Irish Life at Croke Park.