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ARF v Annuity – How Do I Decide Between the Two?

Choosing between an ARF and an Annuity is one of the biggest financial decisions you will face in Ireland. So if you’re planning on maximising the value of your pension then it’s important to get this decision right first time. When claiming your pension benefits you will be entitled to ta...

Feb 04

How Much Do I Need in a Pension to Retire Comfortably?

Well, the simple answer to that depends entirely on the amount of income you want each month when you retire, over and above the state pension. The more you want, the more you will need to have in your fund so the starting point to any retirement plan is figuring out what this number is for y...

Jan 26

The Directors Pension for Business Owners and Why You Should Have One.

Imagine taking the risk of setting up a business and then walking away from it empty-handed when you leave. This is not the outcome you want when the day comes for you to walk away because it would mean all your effort, struggle and sacrifice going unrewarded. Financial freedom is the driving...

Nov 08

Can I Buy a Property Through a Pension and is it a Suitable Option for Me?

Many people like the idea of owning an investment property. After all, it’s a tangible asset that tends to avoid the volatility associated with global investment markets. Buying and managing property through a pension has become popular over the years, particularly with retirees. And whil...

Sep 14

How Much Should We Aim to Have in our Pension as a Married Couple at 68?

Most people underestimate the amount they need to have saved for retirement. And the problem is that it's very hard to pick an appropriate investment strategy when you don't have a clear financial goal. Having a goal requires knowing what you want so here’s a handy formula to work out what...

Jul 10

7 Reasons Why Your Pension Fund isn’t as Big as it Should Be

The average pension fund in Ireland matures at around €107,000. As a result, it's fair to say that most people face a sizeable drop in their standard of living when they reach retirement. If you want want a different outcome then you need to make the most of your opportunities so here are th...

Mar 25

The Time Value Of Money and The Benefit of Investing Early.

Time. It's the single most valuable thing we all have and the only thing in the world that you can't buy more of. If you're just starting out on your career then starting a pension might not be a big priority. But the thing to realise is that time is the single biggest investment advantage ...

Mar 11

The Retirement Relief Scheme for Business Owners And How It Works.

Retirement relief is a recognition from the Irish State that a person's business represents their life work. In many cases, it can also represent their entire retirement plan. In the normal course of events, the sale of any large business asset would trigger a capital gains tax liability at 33...

Feb 01

7 Financial Risks You Face as a Business Owner And How to Overcome Them

A risk is the decision to take a course of action that has an uncertain outcome. Taking risks can make us uncomfortable because the difference between success and failure can be great, especially when the stakes are high. Starting your own business is such an endeavour because the rewards of s...

Jan 02

What Would It Cost For Me To Have a €1,000,000 Pension Fund By 68?

The odds of winning the Irish Lotto are 1 in 10,737,573 while the odds of winning the Euromillions are 1 in 139,838,160. It doesn't cost much to play the lottery because the lottery companies make their profits by matching large, enticing jackpots with statistically improbable outcomes...

Jun 13

The Magical Power of Goals and Why €400,000 is a Great One to Have.

Goals have the power to transform your life if you have something you’d like to achieve. But in order to set an effective goal it needs to be purposely designed so that; - There is a strong emotional reason for attainment, - It has a clearly defined outcome, - A specific deadline for achieve...

May 07

A Pension Fund or an Investment Property. Which is Best For Me?

You’ve already made the decision to start building your wealth for retirement. Now it's a matter of deciding which route to take. "Do I start a pension or should I buy an investment property?" Well, as long as you actually do one of them, then you’ll be m...