Category: Retirement planning

It’s never too late to start a pension.  And with generous tax relief, longer lifespans and lots of investment options, it’s almost always worth doing.  Moneycube explains why, and what you should do to start a pension today. Good reasons for starting late Many people worry they haven’t started saving for retirement early enough.  But … Continued

With the average pension pot in Ireland somewhere in the region of €90,000, a pension pot of half a million is something many people can only dream of. But how far would it get you?  We’ve carved up a notional €500,000 pension fund at retirement to see if it’s enough. The lump sum First, the … Continued

Irish Life Multi-Asset Portfolios (or Irish Life MAPS) is hard to avoid.  It’s the biggest multi-asset range of funds in Ireland. It sometimes seems like its advertisements are on the side of every bus.  And AIB, Permanent TSB and Ulster Bank also promote it heavily. So is it right for you, and what’s the alternative? … Continued

For most of us, the days of a guaranteed pension for life from our employer are gone. If you’re reading this, your pension options at retirement are probably more complicated. These days, you have several choices to make use of your defined contribution pension pot. Most people have built up a ‘defined contribution’ pension fund … Continued

For some reason, many people investing their money in Ireland get talked into investments which lock up their cash for five years or even longer.  Moneycube explains why most people should avoid investment plans that come with early exit fees attached. And if you’re considering a plan like this, we have some simple suggestions before … Continued

The State pension currently pays €243.30 per week, or around €12,700 per year. It is paid to people from the age of 66.  The age at which it’s paid is moving up: it’ll be paid from age 67 if you were born between 1955 and 1960, and from age 68 if you were born after 1960. … Continued

An Approved Retirement Fund, or ARF, is a pot for your pension money after you retire. When you retire, the pension fund(s) you have paid into (perhaps an executive pension, a personal pension, or a PRSA), are available to you.  You can then take decisions on what to do with this money. One of your … Continued

An Approved Minimum Retirement Fund, or AMRF, is a pot for your pension money after you retire. In practice, it’s very similar to an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF). If you are less than 75 years old, and don’t have a guaranteed pension income (such as an annuity) of €12,700 or more, you’re required to put €63,500 … Continued

We all feel that we should have done more to build up our savings and retirement plans. But what’s important is making a start today, not worrying about missed opportunities in the past. The reason for this is compounding – that is, when the growth in your investment is reinvested, and generates additional growth. The … Continued