Class 2 Social Security Contributions

​​Class Two Contributions are to be paid by all individuals who derive income of more than €910 from an economic activity and who are not employed.

The Social Security Act defines two categories of persons that are required to pay Class 2 Contributions as follows:

Self Occupied Persons - persons who earn income from Trade, Business, Profession, Vocation or any other economic activity that exceeds €910 per annum.

Self Employed Persons - persons who receive income from rents, investments, capital gains or any other income.

Rates for Class Two Social Security Contributions are based on the annual net profit or income for the year preceding the contribution payment year.

2016 

Annual Net Income  €                                              Applies To
Category	From	To	Weekly Rate	Full Time Farmers(2)	Self Employed	Self Occupied
SP*	1,005	8,500	24.52	n/a
*The SP rate applies only to single persons who are not self occupied.
SA	910	9,960	28.73(1)	19.15
1 €28.73 or 15% of the annual net earnings if the person is a part - time self - employed woman whose annual net earnings do not exceed €9,960 (see NOTE 1 at the bottom of the page)
	Persons born up to 31st December 1961
SB	9,961	17,933	15%	10%
SC	17,934	n/a	51.73	34.49
	Persons born from 1st January 1962 onwards
SB	9,961	22,138	15%	10%
SC	22,139	n/a	63.86	42.57
NOTE 1: If the insured person elects to pay a contribution that is less than €28.73, such contribution may, if the person qualifies for a contributory benefit or a contributary pension, result in the payment of a reduced contributory benefit or contributory pension. 2 This reduced rate is applicable for full-time farmers as identifed by the Department of Agriculture.