The official PRSA register is much broader than the five insurer brands commonly compared online. The Pensions Authority's register, last updated February 2026, contains products under 16 active provider names, with a separate warning for Custom House Capital. This page provides a screening method, not a personalised “best for you” ranking.
Providers included on the official register
The active names in the February 2026 register are Acorn Life, Allianz, Aviva, BCWM, Cantor Fitzgerald, Davy, Goodbody, Independent Trustee Company, Irish Life, Newcourt, New Ireland, Quest, Royal London, Saol Assurance (AIB life), Standard Life and Zurich. A name on the register is not an endorsement, and not every product is open through every sales route.
We exclude Custom House Capital from the comparison because the Authority states that it is in liquidation and its business is suspended. Before relying on any other entry, verify the product remains open and request its current charges and key information.
Standard PRSA vs Non-Standard PRSA
Products on the register are labelled by type:
- Standard PRSA: charges are capped at 5% of contributions and 1% a year of fund value. Investments are restricted to pooled funds, apart from temporary cash holdings.
- Non-Standard PRSA: no statutory charge cap and investments can extend beyond pooled funds, depending on the product.
Do not assume Standard always means cheaper or Non-Standard always means better for a larger pot. Compare the actual allocation rate, contribution charge, annual management charge, fund-level charge, adviser remuneration and investment access for the specific contract.
Comparison methodology
Use the same evidence fields for every product. A low headline annual management charge can be offset by a contribution charge, lower allocation rate, separate adviser fee or more expensive underlying fund.
| Evidence field | What to record | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence date and product | Quotation date, exact product name and sales route | Keeps an older register entry separate from current terms. |
| PRSA status | Standard or Non-Standard | Sets the legal product framework and investment restrictions. |
| Allocation and contribution charge | How much of each payment is invested | A 5% contribution charge means €95 of each €100 is allocated before growth. |
| Annual and fund charges | AMC plus any fund, platform or policy fee | Recurring costs compound throughout the holding period. |
| Fund choice | Default, passive, active, risk-rated and specialist funds | More choice is useful only if it supports a suitable investment plan. |
| Access route | Direct, employer, tied agent or broad-market intermediary | The same provider can quote different terms through different routes. |
Historical charge example: May 2025 workbook
The Authority workbook shows why product-level comparison matters. In its Acorn Life sheet, the Standard PRSA is shown with a 5% contribution charge and 1% annual management charge, while the Zen PRSA is shown with 0% contribution charge and tiered annual charges of 0.9%, 0.8% and 0.7%. These are examples from the published May 2025 dataset, not a current quote and not a recommendation of either product.
For every quotation, compare:
- Contribution charge (up-front — can be 0% with broker rebates)
- Annual management charge
- Any fund-specific OCF (Ongoing Charges Figure)
- Advisor commission / fee structure (if going via an adviser)
How to build a shortlist
- Confirm each product and provider on the current Pensions Authority register.
- Request like-for-like written quotations using the same contribution and transfer assumptions.
- Compare total charges and allocation, not the provider brand or headline AMC alone.
- Check the funds, default strategy, online access, transfer rules and retirement options.
- If you need a suitability recommendation, verify the firm and its permissions on the Central Bank register.
PRSA Provider Questions to Ask Before Signing
Before choosing any authorised provider, ask for answers in writing. A small difference in wording can become expensive later.
- Is this a Standard PRSA or Non-Standard PRSA?
- What is the exact annual management charge after any discount or commission rebate?
- Is there a contribution charge, policy fee, fund switch charge or early exit penalty?
- Which funds are available and which are the default funds if I do nothing?
- Can employer contributions, transfers from old pensions and personal contributions all go into the same plan?
- How will I see performance, charges and fund values online?
If you are comparing a PRSA with My Future Fund, include employer contributions and tax relief in the same calculation. For some employees, auto-enrolment is better than a standalone PRSA; for others, a PRSA with employer support can be stronger.
Have a specific PRSA question?
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