For decades, a contractual retirement age of 65 was a standard feature of employment in Ireland. However, from 29 June 2026, that position has fundamentally changed. New legislation now gives many employees the right to request to remain in employment beyond their contractual retirement age and continue working until they reach the State Pension age of 66.
In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary are joined by Joanne Hyde, Partner at Lewis Silkin Ireland and employment law expert, to unpack the new legislation, explain what has changed, and discuss what employers need to do now to remain compliant.
The conversation explores the practical implications of the new law, including the process employees must follow when requesting to remain in employment, the obligations placed on employers, and the significant legal risks of failing to respond appropriately. Joanne explains why refusing a request will now require objective justification based on the individual employee rather than relying solely on organisational policy.
Guest
- Joanne Hyde — Partner, Lewis Silkin Ireland & Employment Law Specialist
Topics include:
- What has changed under Ireland's new retirement legislation from 29 June 2026
- Which employees are covered by the new right to work until State Pension age
- The process employees must follow when requesting to remain in employment
- Employer obligations and statutory response timeframes
- Updating contracts of employment, handbooks and retirement policies
- Preparing managers to handle retirement conversations confidently and sensitively
- Common mistakes employers make when managing retirement
Key Takeaways for HR Leaders
- Employees with a contractual retirement age below 66 can now request to remain in employment until State Pension age.
- Employers must respond to requests within the statutory timeframe and provide clear written reasons where a request is refused.
- Refusing a request requires objective justification based on the individual employee rather than relying solely on organisational policy.
- Retirement policies, contracts of employment and employee handbooks should be reviewed and updated immediately.
- Managers should receive training on handling retirement conversations professionally, consistently and compassionately.
Resources
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About The HR Room Podcast
The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR, where we speak with HR leaders, legal experts and workplace specialists from across Ireland about the issues shaping the future of work.
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