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In this week's episode, Paddy tackles the question he gets asked more than any other: how much do I actually need to retire in Ireland? Well, for an answer to that question, one should make a proper calculation beforehand, and Paddy is here to help you out by covering the key benchmarks from the Pensions Council report, what they mean in practice, and where they fall short. Some of the specific points covered in this episode: Why the state pension — currently €299.30 per week in 2026 — changes the calculation significantly, and what it means for couples where both partners qualify The simple framework for working out your own number: current spending, minus what disappears, plus what increases, minus state pension, divided by 0.04 Why many couples targeting a comfortable retirement need a private pension pot closer to €300,000–€400,000 than the €1 million figure people often assume The healthcare wildcard — private health insurance costs that the benchmarks don't fully capture Why the question changes completely for those with €1 million or more in pension assets: it's no longer "do I have enough?" but "how do I structure what I have?" The imputed distribution rules every ARF holder needs to understand before drawing down If you're in your 50s or 60s and haven't yet put a real number on what retirement will cost you, this episode is a practical and reassuring place to start. Enjoy listening!

In this week's podcast, Paddy talks about what a €1 million pension can actually generate in retirement—and why the headline number doesn't always match the reality of income. The tax-free lump sum explained You can take 25%, but only the first €200,000 is fully tax-free. The rest may be taxed, reducing what you actually receive. ARF income isn't as high as you think A €750,000 ARF might generate around €30,000 per year—but after tax, that's closer to €25,000 net. The State Pension makes a big difference Adding the State Pension can bring total income to roughly €45,000+, improving monthly income significantly. Annuities offer certainty—but at a cost They provide guaranteed income for life, but you give up control, flexibility, and access to your capital. You can take more—but it comes at a price Higher withdrawals from an ARF are possible, but they increase your tax bill and may reduce long-term sustainability. A mix of ARF and annuity may work best Combining both can give you a balance of guaranteed income and flexibility. Couples have a clear advantage With two State Pensions and wider tax bands, married couples can generate significantly higher net income. What matters isn't the €1 million It's the income it produces—and whether that income supports the life you want. What's realistic, what's sustainable, and what €1 million actually means in retirement. Enjoy listening!

In this week's podcast, Paddy talks about why leaving your cash in a current or low-interest account is quietly costing you. Your savings could earn more Demand deposit accounts now offer around 2% and fixed-term options near 3%, so idle cash loses ground to inflation. Use the right tools The CCPC comparison tool helps Irish savers easily compare domestic and international deposit accounts. Rates vary widely Foreign platforms often offer better rates than Irish banks, but terms matter—don't just chase the headline numbers. Tax makes a difference DIRT takes 33% of your interest, so tax-free options like State Savings and some government bonds can be surprisingly competitive. Read the fine print Platforms like Raisin show strong rates, but the advertised "3%" often comes with conditions. Actual easy-access rates are closer to 2%. What's realistic, what's competitive, and how to make your cash work harder for you. Hope it helps.

Most people with significant pension assets have no real idea what their financial advisor earns from their money. Not because the information is illegal to share — it isn't — but because the system is designed in a way that makes it genuinely difficult to see. In this episode, Paddy looks at how commission structures work in Irish financial advice, why the difference between a percentage and a euro figure matters enormously, and what a truly transparent client-advisor relationship should actually look like. Key points covered: How initial and trail commissions work on Irish ARFs, pensions and investment products — and what those percentages look like when converted into real euro figures Why the structure of commission-based advice creates a conflict of interest that isn't malicious, but is very real The difference between a suitability standard and a fiduciary duty — and why that distinction could be worth a significant amount of money to you A real client story: a couple who were being advised to keep working and keep contributing, when in fact they already had enough to retire comfortably What good transparency would actually look like — and the three questions every investor should be asking their advisor right now I hope it helps.

In this week's episode, I welcome Aaron to the podcast before diving into a timely topic for Irish savers and investors: how inflation quietly erodes cash savings over time. I look at why holding too much cash can damage long term purchasing power, why fear often keeps people on the sidelines, and why a diversified, low cost investment approach has historically offered a stronger path for long term wealth. Key points: • Inflation reduces the real value of cash, even when your account balance stays the same • Too much money on deposit can weaken long term wealth and legacy outcomes • A diversified global portfolio has historically rewarded patient investors despite short term volatility   I hope it helps.

Michael Houghton returns to the Informed Decisions Podcast seven years after his first appearance to share how his thinking on money, work and property has evolved.   Michael is a personal finance writer, former software developer, FIRE advocate, Irish Independent columnist, and now an active property investor building income and wealth through rental property in Ireland.   In this conversation, Michael explains why financial independence is really about choice, not simply giving up work. He shares how he and his family went from extreme saving and FIRE to a more flexible life built around purposeful work, property income, and long term planning.   Key talking points • Michael's journey from New Zealand visitor to living in Ireland for 15 years • How he and his family pursued FIRE by saving aggressively and working towards financial independence • Why hitting your number does not always mean you want to stop working • How he thinks about retirement, purpose, and the value of meaningful work • Why he sees property as a strong long term wealth building tool • The role of rental yield, leverage, refinancing, and bank appetite in building a portfolio • The risks of property investing, including concentration, leverage, insurance, and tenant issues • How property fits alongside pensions and other investments in an overall financial plan   I hope it helps.

In this week's podcast, Paddy is joined by specialist solicitor Elaine Byrne to demystify trusts and explain why they're one of the most powerful — and underused — tools in Irish estate planning. From discretionary trusts for young children to protecting a family member with additional needs, Elaine covers the types of trusts, the tax implications, how to update your will, and what it actually costs to get it done right. If you've been putting off your will or wondering whether a trust is relevant to your family — this one's for you. I hope it helps.

We can spend decades building our wealth, protecting our families, and planning for retirement. But there's one question most people avoid until it's too late: what happens if you can't make decisions for yourself? In this week's podcast I look at Enduring Power of Attorney. I hope it helps

In this week's podcast, Paddy sits down with guest Brendan Allen to unpack the rental market right now, and it is messy. They get into why so many landlords feel stuck between shifting government rules and real world supply shortages, and how that tension can push rents higher even when the aim is tenant security. Brendan also breaks down the practical business case for staying invested long term, why commercial property can suit some investors better than residential, and what you need to check before you jump in. If you have ever thought, surely it cannot be this complicated, bad news: it can. Good news: you can still make smart calls if you do the work. Key talking points • Why landlord confusion is rising as regulations change and market rent keeps moving • Supply shortages as the core issue, especially outside big cities, and how that affects rents • Commercial vs residential property: returns, maintenance, and what type of investor each suits

If you're saving for retirement or nearing the end of your career, or eyeing retirement or a 'handier' role :) a significant change is on the horizon that could meaningfully affect how much tax you'll pay on your pension. From 2026, the Standard Fund Threshold (SFT), the maximum value you can accumulate across all retirement benefits without triggering additional tax charge, will begin to increase for the first time in over a decade. For many high earners and diligent savers, this represents a genuine opportunity to improve tax efficiency, reduce liabilities, and plan more strategically around when and how to access your retirement benefits. This piece aims to keep it plain English, and I hope you will learn: ‍ • What the Standard Fund Threshold is in 2026 and why it matters • How your pension is valued for SFT • What tax applies if you breach it, and differences between Defined Benefit, and the rest! • Smart planning moves before you retire • When to get help and stop guessing

If you are thinking about retiring in 2026, or even easing back from full time work, this is the year where small decisions start to matter a lot. In this week's episode, I look at how to check if retirement is actually realistic, which pension moves still make sense, and how to think about income rather than just fund size. This is about clarity, not hype. And avoiding expensive mistakes!   Key talking points   • Why the year before retirement is the most valuable planning window • The five numbers you must know before saying "I'm nearly there" • Why income planning beats obsessing over pension fund size • Pension contribution and AVC opportunities that disappear if you delay • Cash buffers and why they reduce stress more than people expect • When investment risk becomes your friend and when it becomes a problem • Sequence risk explained in plain English • Common mistakes we see from people one to two years out from retirement • What you should have ready before speaking to a financial planner   I hope it helps!

If you have an Executive Pension/SSAS or are a member of an Occupational Pension Scheme approaching retirement, you might want to know about these big changes coming your way! Two major pension updates are colliding; - One from European regulation relating to 'Exec Pensions' and 'Small Self Administered' schemes (SSAS) which impacts self employed directors - One from Revenue relating to employees and losing control over their group pension schemes after 'Normal Retirement Age' (NRA) Both can change where your pension sits, how it is invested, and when you can access it. And all of it can happen without your say so, if you do nothing. ‍Key points I'll share today; What the European IORPS2 deadline really means for Executive and SSAS pensions How automatic moves to Master Trusts work The big Revenue change limiting pension transfers from Occupational Pension Schemes Why early retirement plans are most exposed What practical steps make sense now I hope it helps.

Welcome to the very last, and shortest, Informed Decisions Blog of 2025! We've had a very interesting investment year so far, and I want to share some brief investment observations and comparisons of the year. Also, I'll share a few acknowledgements of those that helped me and Informed Decisions during the year. Thanks,  Paddy.

In this week's podcast - Your Essential Pre-Retirement Checklist Retirement starts long before you hand back the laptop or walk out of the office for the last time! The real work happens in the final decade, when you bring everything together; pensions, savings, tax, debts, lifestyle, and the practical bits that make life run smoothly. This pre-retirement checklist Ireland will hopefully give you a clear, practical path that helps you can step into the next stage with clarity and confidence (not a big ask is it!?). What we'll explore in this week: • How to calculate your retirement number • How to review pensions and income sources in an Irish context • How to tidy up investments without derailing long-term returns or compounding • The key tax and admin tasks to complete before leaving work • When professional planning adds value   I hope it helps

In this week's podcast - The Income Investor's Dilemma in Ireland Many investors in their 50's and 60's want dependable and sustainable incomes from their investment assets, fair enough! You may be wondering should you invest in Dividend Stocks or Distributing Funds in order to generate income - and it is a fair question. The choice often falls between 'Dividend Stocks' and 'Distributing Funds' (both pay dividend income) or 'Total Return Stocks' and 'Accumulating Funds' (don't pay dividends, instead accumulate profits in the business or fund). Key points (I hope!) you'll take away: • Why dividends feel attractive • How Irish tax rules affect dividend income • When bonds can support more stable withdrawals • How total-return investing can offer control and flexibility • Practical ways to build retirement income without chasing dividends purely for the sake of it! I aim to walk through how dividends really work, how Irish tax treatment impacts, and the key differences between it and a total-return approach for your income plan. And while we won't be going hugely deep into the weeds here today - it will hopefully help clarify a few things for you.