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ARTICLE · 20 JANUARY 2026

Requests To Work Longer – Changes To Mandatory Retirement Ages Become Law

McCann FitzGerald LLP
McCann FitzGerald LLP
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McCann FitzGerald LLP

McCann FitzGerald LLP

McCann FitzGerald LLP’s London office acts for Irish, UK and international clients on Irish law...

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Employers with employees who have contractual retirement ages of 65 or lower should be aware that new legislation will restrict the circumstances in which such retirement ages can be enforced.

IrelandEmployment and HR
Mary Brassil
Mary Brassil
Donal Hamilton
Donal Hamilton
David McCauley
David McCauley
Eleanor Cunningham
Eleanor Cunningham

Employers with employees who have contractual retirement ages of 65 or lower should be aware that new legislation will restrict the circumstances in which such retirement ages can be enforced. Requests for longer working will now need to be addressed in a manner consistent with the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Retirement Act 2025 (the "Act"). The Act was enacted before Christmas 2025, but is not effective until a ministerial order is made commencing the Act.

Scope

In short, the Act will allow, but not compel, employees to remain in work beyond a contractual retirement age until such time as they reach state pensionable age, currently 66 years of age, unless the employer can justify the retirement of that employee at the contractual retirement age on objective grounds.

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