An overview of the consolidated Irish pension landscape and an insight into future expectations of the Pensions Authority

This session explores how a company’s unique ‘DNA’ – its culture, values, and workforce dynamics can impact and shape best practice member engagement and communications in a world full of distractions. We’ll examine why personalisation, digital innovation and tailored solutions are crucial in making pension interactions easier, more intuitive and more enticing.  We’ll explore practical ways that providers can flex and evolve programmes to cater for diverse workplace needs and help members take ownership of their retirement planning, boost their pension adequacy and, ultimately, achieve better outcomes.

The reality of longer lifespans and healthier ageing means Ireland must rethink what “retirement” looks like. To sustain living standards, the retirement age will inevitably need to rise, and participation among those aged 60 and over will become increasingly important. This shift challenges the traditional definition of the working-age population and requires both employers and policymakers to support flexible, later-life working and more adaptable pension models that align with longer careers and extended financial journeys. At the same time, geopolitical disruption, market volatility, and accelerating regulatory reform are reshaping how pension schemes define and deliver value. The investment landscape of 2026 is more complex than ever, demanding innovation, transparency, and resilience from schemes, employers, and providers alike. Delivering genuine value for members now means looking beyond cost and performance towards engagement, adequacy, sustainability, and trust.

Topics will include:

• the implications of longer working lives and rising retirement ages for scheme design and adequacy
• how pension models are evolving to deliver stronger, more sustainable member outcomes
• lessons from international markets on navigating volatility and fostering member confidence
• why workplace pension provision is now a cornerstone of talent attraction and retention

Challenges in a post AE and MT world from a country that is further ahead on the journey

A looking forward prospective from the UK on pension adequacy and other challenges in a post Auto- Enrolment and Master Trust world.

With auto-enrolment finally live and expected to significantly boost pension coverage across Ireland, the focus now shifts from access to adequacy. Ensuring that members not only save, but save enough, is emerging as the defining challenge for policymakers, employers, and the pensions industry. Adequacy is about more than just numbers — it is about securing a meaningful quality of life after work in a world where people are living longer, working differently, and facing new financial pressures. This session will examine how Ireland can move beyond coverage to create a system that delivers sustainable, adequate outcomes for members. It will ask tough questions about contributions, governance, responsibility, and how we empower individuals to take control of their own retirement journey.

Topics will include:

• adequacy in the age of auto-enrolment
• gender pension parity
• empowering members with education, digital tools, and advice to make confident retirement decisions
• balancing state, employer, and individual responsibility in delivering better retirement outcomes

As master trusts and pension schemes evolve to meet the dual challenges of delivering sustainable long-term returns and addressing member outcomes, private markets, including infrastructure and alternatives are emerging as cornerstone asset classes. Our speaker will discuss the strategic case for infrastructure in pension schemes including return expectations and diversification benefits.

With auto-enrolment now live and reshaping the retirement savings landscape, the DC market is reaching a new stage of maturity. For many employers and trustees, choosing between providers increasingly comes down to the strength and sophistication of master trusts, but the next frontier goes beyond structure. The conversation is shifting toward innovation, risk management, and member-focused outcomes. Our expert speakers will explore the emerging trends and the disruptors that will define the pensions landscape in the years ahead, helping stakeholders prepare today for what’s already on the horizon tomorrow.

Topics will include:

·  derisking strategies for DB schemes with practical options for employers navigating endgame planning

·       master trust evolution

·       AI in pensions for member engagement, fraud prevention, and risk monitoring.

·       embedding financial wellbeing & advice into workplace culture as the norm

·       future proofing for disruption to anticipate regulatory, demographic, and technological shifts