Linker rewriting to eliminate TOC pointer references

A method and associated computer program product are disclosed for generating an object file for subsequent linking by a linker. The object file comprises a function that references a table of contents (TOC) pointer register. The method comprises generating, in the object file, at least one first annotation that identifies at least one instruction of the function. The at least one instruction has an eliminable reference to the TOC pointer register. The first annotation configures the linker to determine, during the subsequent linking of the object file and based on the at least one first annotation, whether to eliminate the eliminable reference.