As of 2018, pension rates have been yearly increased across board for both contributory and non-contributory pensioners, as hereunder illustrated.
| Year | Pension weekly Increase | Cost of Living Allowance weekly increase | Total weekly increase |
| € | € | € | |
| 2018 | 2.00 | 1.75 | 3.75 |
| 2019 | 2.17 | 2.33 | 4.50 |
| 2020 | 3.51 | 3.49 | 7.00 |
| 2021 | 3.25 | 1.75 | 5.00 |
| 2022 | 3.25 | 1.75 | 5.00 |
| 2023 | 2.60 | 9.90 | 12.50 |
| 2024 | 2.19 | 12.81 | 15.00 |
| 2025 | 2.76 | 5.24 | 8.00 |
| 2026 | 5.34 | 4.66 | 10.00 |
Employees who opt to remain in employment beyond their retirement age from 2024 became entitled to higher top-up rates in their pensions. The applicable increased rates are as hereunder indicated:
| Deferment by: | New rate |
| One year | increase by 1.5% to 6.5% |
| Two years | Increase by 3% to 13.5% |
| Three years | increase by 4.5% to 21% |
| Four years | Increase by 6% to 29% |
- Pension income of individuals aged 61 years and over, in 2026 became wholly exempt from tax. Widows under 61 years of age are also entitled to tax exemption.
- The ongoing recalibration of the Cost-of-Living Bonus, currently paid separately from pensions, will resume in 2026 to address disparities in the existing system. The process will conclude in 2027, when a uniform rate of €21.53 will be integrated into the pension and applied to all pensioners, regardless of their retirement date.
- A guaranteed national minimum level of pension was introduced in 2016 to provide a minimum level of pension income related to the at-risk-of-poverty level. It is yearly adjusted by cost-of-living increases and additional pension increases.
- Married pensioners, mostly women, in receipt of a single rate pension as their spouses are pensionable, in 2026 had their pensions upgradedto a married rate.
- The gender gap in pensions was addressed in 2017 with females gaining increases in their weekly pension rates.
- On reaching pensionable age persons with a disability are entitled to a pension equivalent to the Non-Contributory Age.
- Individuals incapacitated due to a serious illness in 2026 became eligible for an invalidity pension equivalent to the Two-thirds Pension they would have received upon reaching retirement age.
- By law, invalidity pensioners are prohibited from undertaking any form of employment, as doing so would result in the loss of their pension benefits. However, eligibility rules were amended in 2026 to allow individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder or a psychotic disorder to engage in part-time work without forfeiting their pension. To qualify, applicants must be medically certified fit to take up part-time employment and must have been undergoing regular treatment for a minimum of three years.
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