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 2022 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 does net zero mean for investors?

The long hot summer in much of Europe, the western US and China is a reminder that the climate has a major economic effect.  From the need to adapt infrastructure to changing consumer behaviour to population movement, climate change and the move to net zero is influencing investment decisions around the world. At the heart … Continued

3 reasons the stock market is not the economy

There’s a clear chance the world is heading into recession, as higher interest rates put pressure on mortgage holders and debt-laden companies. That’s bad news for the economy. But the stock market is not the economy. No-one wants a recession. But they want inflation even less. If a recession is the price of getting on … Continued

Moneycube’s midyear market review 2023

The last six months have had their fair share of drama. There have been bank failures and price falls – but also asset price recoveries in some sectors, an improving inflation trend, and continued economic resilience in most of the developed world. As we approach the half-year mark, it’s time to look at what has … Continued

Auto-enrolment in Ireland: how will it affect you?

Auto-enrolment in Ireland: if you’re serious about your pension, Ireland’s auto-enrolment solution won’t get you there Moneycube’s calculations indicate a regular person can hope for a retirement income of just under €12,000 per year using Ireland’s promised auto-enrolment programme.   On 29 March the government announced auto-enrolment really is coming to Ireland – in 2024. … Continued

US debt ceiling negotiations: should you react?

 The countdown continues.  Today US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen set a date of 5 June as the final date to raise the US debt ceiling. Failure to raise the limit by then will mean the US government would begin to default on its obligations. What is the US debt ceiling? The debt ceiling is the … Continued

How much can I afford to put in my pension?

If you’re asking ‘How much can I afford to put in my pension?’ when there’s a cost of living crisis, challenging market conditions, and rising housing costs, you’re not alone. Fact is, there is too much guilt around pensions. We’re always being told we should save more.  But deciding how much depends on what you … Continued

Investing in artificial intelligence

Forget bitcoin and the metaverse… even tech firms more generally have had a tough time of it over the last 18 months. But 2023 is surely the year where AI, artificial intelligence, has got real attention.  So should you be investing in artificial intelligence, and if so, how? ChatGPT is just a start What seems … Continued