Standard fund threshold changes: what’s the impact?

The government has announced changes to the lifetime pension cap (also known as the standard fund threshold) in Ireland.  Currently the cap is €2 million, and beyond that, a penalty tax applies. The aim is to make sure the government gets its tax take. (There are some ways to squeeze a bit more below the … Continued

Question of the month: should I sell my apartment?

I am in my early 80s and have owned a two-bed apartment in Dublin city centre for many years now. I’ve never lived there, but some of my children and other family members have used it as a base when attending college and at other times. It has recently been vacated and I’m now trying … Continued

How to make a lump sum contribution to top up your pension

Everything you need to know to make a last-minute pension contribution ahead of the 2023 income tax deadline Making a lump sum pension contribution is a great way to rapidly increase your pension provision and secure your financial future. And now is a great time to top up your pension – sometimes called an Additional … Continued

What do falling interest rates mean for your investments?

Interest rates are finally being cut across developed markets. The European Central Bank met today and cut rates by 0.25% to 3.5%. The Federal Reserve is expected to cut US rates by the same amount, or maybe double, next week. And the Bank of England meets in a week’s time to consider the same question. … Continued

What’s happening in stock markets right now?

August has begun with a strong selloff in global stock markets. What’s going on, and what should you do? Before we start: financial markets change all the time, reacting to events as they unfold.  This short briefing note represents Moneycube’s views as at 1000 on Tuesday 6 August and has not been updated since. What’s … Continued

Moneycube’s midyear market review 2024

Investors in risk assets will be pretty satisfied with the first half of 2024.  Most funds delivered sustained positive results.  Investors were rewarded in almost all asset classes, with equities up over 15% in Euro terms, bonds delivering continued yield, and gold and silver both reaching their highest prices in over a decade. Read Moneycube’s … Continued

Question of the month: how do I set up a trust fund?

My wife passed away recently and asked me to set up a form of trust fund for our four grandchildren, aged 18 months to eight years old. She didn’t want them to get access to this until they reach 28 years old. Who would be best to advise on this and where should it be … Continued

Taking the temperature in Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is a storied part of the US economy, and even the American dream. It has been the birthplace of numerous world-beating businesses for decades, from Hewlett-Packard and Intel in the twentieth century to Nvidia and Apple today.  What’s made the San Francisco Bay Area so successful? Its success is built on a fertile … Continued