I am in a similar position. However, my defined benefit pension is non contributory, i.e. my employer funds the pension in full up to 40/60 final salary including state pension on retirement with full service.
I also pay AVCs, currently 6% and my employer pays 2%. I am paying AVCs to avail of my employers 2% AVC top up, the tax relief, my employer may buy out or end the defined benefit pension at some stage in the future, I will have moved on or it will be underfunded at some point in the future (hopefully not). Because I don't contribute to the defined benefit, can I avail of the age related AVC contribution limits?