Which statements describe eligibility to contribute to AVCs?

• A. Be an employee
• B. Be a member of their employer's occupational pension scheme
• C. Be an employee and be a member of their employer's occupational pension scheme
• D. Be an employee, be a member of their employer's occupational pension scheme, and have remuneration from employment of less than €115,000 per annum

Answer: (C)

The rule for eligibility to contribute to AVCs is that you must be both an employee and a member of your employer’s occupational pension scheme. AVCs are extra contributions within that employer’s scheme, so you need to be actively earning from that employer and be part of the scheme to access AVCs. Being an employee without scheme membership or being a scheme member without being an employee wouldn’t give you the right to make AVCs. The remuneration amount (such as a €115,000 threshold) isn’t a factor in eligibility. Therefore, the correct description is that you must meet both conditions: you’re employed by the employer and you’re a member of their occupational pension scheme.