If you are a self-employed person, a director (a director of a family company or a director who controls more than 5% of the voting rights of company) or an employee who is not in an occupational pension scheme, the percentage of your earnings* which can be set aside each year as pension contributions -and be fully tax deductible - is set out on the chart below.

If your income comes wholly or mainly from specified sporting activities i.e. athletes, badminton players, boxers, cyclists, footballers, golfers, jockeys, rugby players, squash players, swimmers or tennis players, you will be able to contribute 30% of your earnings each year, irrespective of your age.

In all cases tax deductible contributions are calculated by reference to a maximum earnings figure of €253,947 for a tax year, where actual income in any year exceeds this amount. You will be able to make contributions to your pension scheme until you reach the age of 75 (previously 70).