The campaign to raise awareness of pensions was stepped up today with the launch of a guidebook on Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) by the Irish Pension Board.
The 20-page booklet was launched by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Mary Coughlan.
September 15th is the deadline for employers to provide access for their employees to a standard PRSA.
Ms Anne Maher, chief executive of the Pensions Board said the Board will do everything possible to ensure that all employers get to avail of the information.
"PRSAs are a key development to encourage flexible retirement savings and employers in Ireland have an important role in ensuring all have access to retirement provision," she said.
The booklet is the first of three that form part of the National Pensions Awareness Campaign. Further booklets will include a practical consumer guide to PRSAs and a general booklet on all aspects of pension provision and these will be published during the summer.
A PRSA is an investment vehicle, which can be used for long term retirement provision by employees, self employed, homemakers, carers, unemployed and any other category of person. It is a contract between an individual and a PRSA provider in the form of an individual investment account, which holds units in investment funds managed by PRSA providers. The PRSA contributor is the beneficial owner of the PRSA assets.
The booklet is available free of charge by contacting the Information Unit at the Pensions Board at (01) 6131900. The booklet is also available on the Pension Board's website at www.pensionsboard.ie.