Podcast #5: An Intro to Pensions
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
Release Date: 09/23/2016
Irish Pension Calculator: Do You Really Need €2M to Retire Comfortably??
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
In our last podcast, we celebrated Fran's incredible achievement of amassing a €2 million pension pot through decades of disciplined saving and investing. Some who read it were inspired, some were envious, and others said "I don't bloody need €2m pension pot"! Today, we're asking a different question entirely: Do I actually need a €2 million pension pot to retire comfortably? And you'll see why I suggest the following are appropriate pension pots to fund a 'comfortable' retirement lifestyle; c€500k if you plan to retire in your mid 60's c€1m if you would like to retire in your...
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Build & Spend a 2m Pension Pot
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
Today, we’re diving into the real-life(ish) story of Fran – a regular guy who built a €2 million+ pension pot and retired at 55. No big lotto win. No magic investment hacks. Just smart use of Ireland’s pension system, discipline, and a few skipped car upgrades! Fran started young, contributed consistently, and maximised every bit of tax relief and employer matching he could get his hands on. He invested for growth, kept his cool through market crashes, and stuck to the plan. Over 30 years, a €350,000 net contribution turned into a €2 million pension pot. We walk through: •...
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Take 5%, not 4% from my ARF - with Bill Bengen (creator of the 4% rule!)
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
Welcome to Informed Decisions Podcast, where we bring you expert insights for Irish investors and retirees. Today, we have a rip-roaring guest joining us - Bill Bengen, the financial planner who literally wrote the book on retirement withdrawals. Back in 1994, Bill's groundbreaking research established what became known worldwide as the "4% rule". This was the cornerstone of retirement planning, that suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually without running out of money. But here's where it gets interesting for our Irish listeners: Bill has been revisiting his own work,...
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Venture Capital and Private Market Investing with Rob and Scott
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
In this episode of the Informed Decisions podcast, I chat with Rob Halligan and Scott Ashmore, co-founders of Shuttle, a platform aiming to democratise access to private equity and venture capital investments. The conversation dives into the fundamentals of private markets, how they differ from public equity investing, and why early-stage companies often turn to private capital over traditional bank loans. Rob and Scott shed light on the risk-reward profile of venture investing, the importance of diversification, and how Shuttle helps everyday investors participate in an asset...
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Understanding Your Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
If you’ve ever looked at your pension statement and thought, “What does this actually mean?” You’re not alone. In this episode, #338, we’re cutting through the jargon and making sense of Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes, especially for Irish employees and retirees. These schemes can offer incredible long-term value, but many people don’t fully understand how they work, what they’re worth, or what decisions they might face around them. Whether you’re still paying into a DB scheme or left it behind years ago, we’ll walk you through the key numbers, why these pensions are so...
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Flashback to episode 296 - Risk of Ruin...Lifestyle & Default Investment Pension Strategies
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
For the past 8 years, I’ve been making the case that most investors, particularly those who can tolerate volatility, should avoid Lifestyle investment strategies in pensions. It’s been a lonely stance, with little to no mainstream coverage, even though investor feedback on my analysis was consistently positive. Back in early 2024, I shared s used by pension funds in Ireland. The results were clear: even after more than a decade of strong market performance, investors who took the ‘Do It For Me’ route, defaulting to cautious, de-risking strategies, ended up with significantly poorer...
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How Big Should My Pension Be?
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
This week I flashback to a podcast from 2021! While it is a few years old its a common and important question. Key takeaways How big your pension should be when you start drawing down income How big your pension should be at various stages of your life What you can do if it's not as big as you would like it to be! How to live 14.9% longer! I hope it helps!
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8 Years Later! The Soul of Wealth with Dr. Daniel Crosby
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
In this week's podcast I chat with Dr. Daniel Crosby. He discusses the evolution of behavioral finance over the past eight years, reflecting on the growing acceptance and understanding of the field. He shares insights from his latest book, 'The Soul of Wealth,' emphasising the importance of health, happiness, and meaningful spending. The discussion also covers the role of community in financial behavior, the impact of delayed gratification, and the future of wealth management in an AI-driven world. Crosby highlights the necessity of practical applications in financial education and the...
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What's the best ARF Fund for my pension?
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
In this week's podcast #334 I take a look ARFs If you google 'best ARF Fund in Ireland' today, you will get many results. The first few are of course paid-for, sponsored adverts from firms who want your clicks (and are paying handsomely for them!). There are then quite a few other firms who have written about this 'best ARF fund in Ireland' topic. This week I share a very short piece which shows the actual outcomes of a scenario where one invested in different funds, portfolios and companies over the past decade or more, and what we can learn from it. And if anyone needs a reminder, an ARF is...
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Saving & Gifting to Kids in Ireland? Doing it Wrong Costs Thousands in Tax
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
In this week's episode, I explore crucial financial planning lessons for Irish families, highlighting examples where small oversights led to significant tax bills. Discover how one family's misunderstanding of Ireland's Dwelling House Exemption resulted in an unexpected €77,000 tax liability, and how another family's mismanagement of the Small Gift Exemption cost them over €65,000. Learn essential strategies for gifting, saving, and inheritance planning, and understand why precise adherence to tax regulations, supported by expert advice, is key to safeguarding your family's financial...
info_outlineHi All,
Colm McCarthy (our esteemed Irish Economist) recently said "retirees don't eat equities and bond for their breakfast, they eat rashers and eggs and bread and stuff".......meaning we need cash to survive and feed ourselves in retirement, not funds and technical products.
Paddy & John discuss why this matters and how we can begin to consider catering for our retirement.
Recorded in a busy pub, there is a nice background ambience to compliment the lad's dulcet tones!
Thanks for tuning in!
Paddy.