Pharma Pension Advice for Former Employees

Our pharma pension advice helps Irish workers over 50 explore retirement options, retirement planning, and how to cash in a pension early over 50.

Pharma Careers and Multiple Pensions: How to Access Them

If you’ve worked in Ireland’s pharmaceutical sector, our pharma pension advice can help you unlock preserved pensions and tax-free lump sums. Many pharmaceutical professionals in Ireland work across 2 to 4 employers by the time they reach their 50s. While most continue in the industry into their late 60s, many are unaware they may already qualify to access pensions from previous employers — and tax-free from age 50.

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Who We Help: Pharma Professionals Across Ireland

Pharma professionals in Ireland — especially those in hubs like Cork, Dublin, Galway, Waterford, Limerick, and Sligo — typically accumulate 3–4 different pensions over their careers. If you’ve worked at any of the following major companies, you may have unused pension entitlements waiting:

• Pfizer (Cork & Dublin, including former Wyeth in Grange Castle)

• Johnson & Johnson (Limerick, Cork, Galway, including DePuy Synthes)

• Boston Scientific (Galway & Clonmel)

• Abbvie (Sligo & Cork)

• Bausch + Lomb (Waterford)

• Allergan (Mayo)

• Vistakon (Limerick)

• Merit Medical (Galway)

• Alkermes (Athlone)

• Janssen (Cork)

• Stryker (Cork)

• B. Braun (Sligo)

• Teva Pharmaceuticals (Waterford)

• Procter & Gamble (Tipperary)

And many more…

Pharma Careers = Multiple Pensions

As professionals progress through their careers, they often leave pensions behind with former employers.

“Typically, specialists in pharma — such as technicians, researchers, production staff, engineers, and governance operatives — have 3 or 4 employments within the sector,” says Iain Kilbane of QFinancial.ie.
“These pensions are often left behind in previous employer schemes, where the former worker has limited control over fees, investment strategy, and performance.”

From age 50, you may be eligible to access 25% of your pension tax-free, while continuing to work in the industry.

Can I Retire From a Previous Pharma Pension While Still Working?

Yes, you can!

If you’re over 50, you may be able to:

• Access 25% of your pension tax-free

• Transfer the balance to a Personal Retirement Bond (PRB) or

• Move it to an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF)

You don’t need to stop working to unlock pensions from past employers.

Example: Jane, 54, Still Working — But Accessed €42,000 Tax-Free

Jane worked for three pharma companies during her 30-year career. After a review with Unlockpension.ie, we helped her access €42,000 tax-free from an old pension, while she continues working in Galway.

Pharma Pension Advice: Your Pension Options After Leaving a Pharma Employer

When you leave an employer in Ireland, you gain “leaving service” rights. These allow you to:

• Leave the pension where it is (less flexible)

• Transfer to your new employer’s pension scheme

• Transfer to a Personal Retirement Bond (PRB)

• Access 25% tax-free from age 50 (if eligible)

At Unlockpension.ie, we help you understand your best option, based on fees, charges, risk, and tax strategy.

Free Pharma Pension Advice and Review for Employees

Qfinancial.ie, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, offers a free pension advisory service via our specialist arm Unlockpension.ie. We work specifically with:

• Current and former pharma employees

• Those aged 50+ looking to access past pensions

• Anyone made redundant or who left a previous pharma role

FAQs – Bus Eireann Pension

Q: Can I get pension advice in Ireland for my Bus Eireann pension?
A: Yes. Former employees can get independent pension advice in Ireland to understand their options for a Bus Eireann pension, including retirement planning options and whether a PRB transfer or other solutions are right for them.

Q: Can I cash out my Bus Eireann pension early if I’m over 50?
A: Yes. If you’re over 50, you may be able to cash out your Bus Eireann pension early, accessing a tax-free lump sum while leaving the remainder invested for future growth.

Q: What are my retirement options early for a Bus Eireann pension?
A: Former employees have several retirement options early, including leaving the pension preserved, taking a tax-free lump sum, or transferring it to a Personal Retirement Bond (PRB) for more control.

Q: How do I unlock my Bus Eireann pension early over 50?
A: To unlock your pension early over 50, you need to check eligibility, confirm you are no longer an active member of the scheme, and work with an independent advisor to access your tax-free lump sum and explore flexible retirement planning options.

Q: What is a tax-free lump sum from my Bus Eireann pension?
A: A tax-free lump sum is usually up to 25% of your Bus Eireann pension fund, available when you unlock your pension early. You can use it to pay off debt, invest, or supplement your retirement savings.