The PRSI Class Automation feature automates the update of Irish Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) classes for employees based on their age, date of birth, and State Pension Contributory (SPC) status. Without this feature, PRSI class changes for older employees must be applied manually. When enabled, PeopleXD applies the correct class transitions automatically during each payroll run.
The feature is relevant for employees aged 66 and over. Irish legislation requires that PRSI classes change from Class A or S to Class J or M depending on whether the State Pension (Contributory) has been awarded and the employee's date of birth. PeopleXD automates this lookup and transition, reducing manual intervention and the risk of incorrect PRSI reporting.
📌Note: This feature is disabled by default. No PRSI class changes will be made automatically until the feature is explicitly enabled.
Key facts
The table below shows the PRSI Class Automation key facts.
Item | Detail |
Feature name | PRSI Class Automation |
Applies to | Employees aged 66 and over (Ireland payroll) |
Jurisdiction | Ireland |
Default setting | Disabled — must be explicitly enabled |
Control levels | System-wide (System Type) and per Pay Group |
Feature flag | prsi_class_spc_effective |
Legislative basis | Revenue — Changes to Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) |
Developed by | TOPE Team (XD Payroll) |
Prerequisites
Before enabling PRSI Class Automation, confirm the following:
Your organisation operates Ireland payroll within PeopleXD.
You have payroll administrator access to System Type Settings and, if using pay group-level control, to Pay Group Settings.
You have confirmed with your payroll team which employees aged 66 or over have been awarded the State Pension (Contributory), as this determines which PRSI class transition applies.
You are aware that enabling the feature at system level applies the automation to all pay groups. Enabling it at pay group level applies it selectively. Plan your rollout accordingly.
Configuration
PRSI Class Automation is controlled by a two-tier flag system. The system-level flag overrides the pay group-level flag. Configure at the level appropriate for your organisation.
System-level configuration (applies to all pay groups)
Click Settings then click System Type.
Click PRSI Class Automation.
Select the PRSI Class Automation indicator (prsi_class_spc_effective).
To enable automation across all pay groups, set the value to Y.
Save the configuration.
Pay group-level configuration (selective rollout)
If the system-level flag is set to N, the system checks each pay group's own flag individually. This allows you to enable the automation for specific pay groups only.
Click Settings then click Pay Group.
In the Pay Group field, select the relevant pay group.
Click PRSI Class Automation.
Select the PRSI Class Automation option.
Set the value to Y to enable for that pay group only.
Save and repeat for each pay group where automation is required.
⚠️Important: If the system-level flag (System Type) is set to Y, the pay group-level flag is ignored. Pay group-level control only applies when the system flag is N.
Menu reference
Menu option | Navigation path |
System Type Settings | Payroll Dashboard › Settings › System Type › PRSI Class Automation |
Pay Group Settings | Payroll Dashboard › Settings › Pay Group › PRSI Class Automation |
Employee PRSI Report | PAY155PN (accessed via the PAYEMP form) |
PRSI/USC/PRD Rates | SYSTEMLEGRATE_MENU › PRSI/USC/PRD |
Maintain PRSI Class Details | YEAREND_MENU › MAINTAINPRSICLASSDETAILSIRE |
How it works
When PRSI Class Automation is enabled, the system evaluates each employee's PRSI class during payroll processing. If the employee meets the age and SPC criteria, the system automatically transitions their PRSI class to the correct value. The system determines which rule to apply based on three factors: the employee's age (calculated from date of birth), whether the State Pension (Contributory) has been awarded (SPC indicator), and the original PRSI class on record.
Key rules summary
Condition | Class transition |
Age 66–69, SPC awarded (Y) | Class A1 → Class J1 | Class S1/S2 → Class M |
Age 66–69, no SPC, born on/before 01-Jan-1958 | Class A1 → Class J1 | Class S1 → Class M |
Age 66–69, no SPC, born after 01-Jan-1958 | No change — class remains A1 or S1 |
Age 70 and over (any DOB, any SPC status) | Class A → Class J | Class S → Class M (always applied) |
⚠️Important: Once an employee reaches age 70, the class transition is applied unconditionally — regardless of SPC status or date of birth.
Control hierarchy
If prsi_class_spc_effective = Y at System Type level. Automation applies to all pay groups.
If prsi_class_spc_effective = N at System Type level. The system checks the pay group flag for each pay group individually.
If the pay group flag is also N. Automation is disabled for that pay group and PRSI classes are not changed automatically.
PRSI class transition tables
The tables below show all supported class transition scenarios, grouped by age band and SPC status.
Post-age 66: SPC not awarded (SPC = N or blank)
# | Scenario | DOB | Original class | Becomes (enabled) |
1 | Class A — born on or before 01-Jan-1958 | 01-Jan-1957 | A1 | J1 |
2 | Class A — born after 01-Jan-1958 (no change) | 01-Jan-1959 | A1 | A1 |
3 | Class S — born on or before 01-Jan-1958 | 01-Jan-1957 | S1 | M |
4 | Class S — born after 01-Jan-1958 (no change) | 02-Jan-1958 | S1 | S1 |
Post-age 66: SPC awarded (SPC = Y)
# | Scenario | Original class | Becomes |
5 | Class A becomes Class J (SPC awarded) | A1 | J1 |
6 | Class S becomes Class M (SPC awarded) | S1 | M |
Post-age 70: SPC awarded (SPC = Y)
# | Scenario | Original class | Becomes |
7 | Class A becomes Class J | A1 | J1 |
8 | Class S becomes Class M | S1 | M |
Post-age 70: SPC not awarded (SPC = N or blank)
# | Scenario | Original class | Becomes |
9 | Class A becomes Class J | A1 | J |
10 | Class S becomes Class M | S1 | M |
Scope and exclusions
PRSI Class Automation applies to Ireland payroll employees aged 66 and over during the current payroll run. The following are not in scope:
UK payroll employees: This feature is Ireland-specific.
Employees under age 66: No class transition is triggered regardless of SPC status.
Retrospective or arrears payroll runs — automation applies to the current active period only.
PRSI classes other than A and S — the automation only transitions Class A and Class S employees.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if an employee's SPC status changes mid-year?
The system re-evaluates SPC status and age on each payroll run. If the SPC indicator is updated on the employee record, the correct class transition will be applied from the next payroll run that processes that employee.
Can I enable this for some pay groups but not others?
Yes. Set the System Type flag to N and enable the pay group-level flag only for the pay groups where automation is required. Pay groups with the flag set to N will continue to require manual PRSI class management.
Does this affect employees under age 66?
No. The automation logic only applies to employees aged 66 and over. Employees below 66 are not evaluated and their PRSI class is not changed by this feature.
What happens when an employee turns 70?
Once an employee reaches age 70, the class transition (A → J or S → M) is applied unconditionally on the next payroll run, regardless of SPC status or date of birth. This age 70 override cannot be suppressed by the SPC indicator.
How do we exclude employees who should not be transitioned?
Disable the automation at pay group level for any pay groups containing employees who require manual PRSI class management. If all affected employees are in a specific pay group, set that pay group's flag to N while leaving others enabled.
Does enabling this feature affect historical periods?
No. PRSI Class Automation applies to the current payroll period only. Previously processed periods are not reprocessed or affected.
Legislative reference
PRSI class changes for employees post-age 66 are governed by Revenue guidelines.
For full details refer to Revenue — Changes to Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI).
Support and further information
For queries relating to PRSI class configuration and SPC indicator management within PeopleXD, raise a support case with Access via the standard support channels.
For guidance on State Pension (Contributory) eligibility and PRSI class changes, refer to the Department of Social Protection or Revenue.