'Your Best PRSA & Master Trust Options' - with Glenn Gaughran
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
Release Date: 05/26/2025
The Financial Freedom of Getting Kids Off The Books!
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
Many Irish parents in their fifties are still financially supporting adult children—and it’s quietly delaying their retirement goals. Key takeaways: • Each adult child can cost around €15k–€20k per year in ongoing support—rent, car, health cover, and general expenses. • Those costs directly reduce pension contributions and long-term savings, sometimes delaying retirement by years. • Using tools like the McClements Scale shows how each extra person in the home adds significant cost pressure. • Setting clear timelines, gradually stepping back support, and redirecting funds...
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The Real Cost & Value of Financial Advice in Ireland
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
You’ve probably wondered: what does financial advice actually cost in Ireland, and is it worth it? Indeed, many people are also probably wondering if they are actually paying for advice, who may or may not be getting any!? Many professionals in their 50s ask that question when they start thinking about retiring, reducing hours, or simply getting their finances in order. They may have accumulated assets through their careers, may or may not have had an advisor during that time, but are now considering the need as they plan their next chapter. At , we believe clarity beats guesswork. So...
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Annuity vs ARF: What’s Best for a €1 Million Pension Pot in Ireland?
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
If you’re retiring in Ireland with around €1 million in pension savings, one of the biggest questions you’ll face is whether to take income from an ARF (Approved Retirement Fund) or to buy an annuity. In this episode, I break down both options in plain English — what they mean, how they work under Irish tax rules, and which might suit your lifestyle and risk appetite. Key Points: What’s an ARF? What’s an Annuity? Typical Income from a €1m Pension Taxation Pros and Cons I hope it helps
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How To Invest Your Pension at 50 (Make €1m extra in 10 years!?)
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
In this week's podcast, I talk about investing your pension at 50. Turning 50 is a wake-up call for your pension. It’s not about panic - it’s about planning smart. Here’s what matters most: Key Points: • At 50, your goals shift — you’re closer to retirement, but growth still counts. • Review your pension funds now: what’s in equities, bonds, or cash? • Rebalance gradually. • Diversify — global funds, low costs, and no guesswork. • Check old company pensions. Consolidate only if it saves on fees or boosts control. • Understand your tax position — up to 25%...
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Unregulated Investments in Ireland: Fees, Lessons & What to Avoid
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
In this week’s podcast, I unpack the growing issue of unregulated investments in Ireland — from headline-grabbing collapses to the hidden risks facing everyday investors. Discover why so many well-intentioned savers were caught out, what to watch for, and how to protect yourself from high-risk “opportunities” that promise too much. Key points: The rise and fall of high-profile unregulated firms like Arena Capital, BlackBee, and Custom House Capital Why ordinary savers — not just speculators — were drawn into risky investments How commissions and incentives can cloud financial...
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Don't Be The Magpie, And Achieve Better Investment Returns
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
In this week’s podcast, we dive into why so many investors underperform the very funds they invest in. Drawing on Morningstar’s Mind the Gap 2025 research, we explore how “magpie behaviour” — chasing shiny new investments, panicking in downturns, or tinkering too much — quietly erodes long-term wealth. The evidence is clear: bad behaviour can cost over 1% per year, compounding into massive losses over time. But the gap isn’t inevitable. This episode shares practical steps to help you capture more of the returns you deserve — and avoid being the magpie. Key Points Morningstar...
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Why Retirement Costs More Than We Think or Hope!
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
Would you rather build a financial future lined with velvet cushions, or one pieced together with spud bags?? Too many households in Ireland—and globally—are entering retirement without the savings needed to sustain their lifestyle. In this episode, I explore the uncomfortable truth behind retirement readiness, from the dominance of State Pensions to the worrying lack of planning, and why delayed gratification and early saving matter more than ever. Key Points: State Pension reliance: In Ireland, over half of workers without private pensions expect to rely mainly on the State...
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The Most Dangerous Day in Retirement with Dan Haylett
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
In this week's episode, I chat with Dan Haylett, Director of TFP Financial Planning in the UK, author of The Retirement You Didn’t See Coming, and host of the Humans vs Retirement podcast. Dan has built his career around helping people prepare for retirement in a way that goes far beyond the numbers, focusing on the human side of life after work. Together, we explore: Why retirement is less a maths problem and more a human challenge. The dangers of the “blank canvas” problem and why day 182 of retirement can be the most difficult. Dan’s five pillars of a thriving...
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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: •...
info_outline- Regulatory changes have ended executive one-member schemes, pushing attention toward PRSAs and Master Trusts.
- In 2023–2024, PRSAs allowed virtually unlimited employer contributions, making them highly attractive for late-stage funding.
- As of January 2025, employer contributions to PRSAs are capped at 100% of salary, significantly reducing flexibility.
- Master Trusts still allow actuarial-based contribution limits based on salary and years of service, offering an alternative path.
- PRSAs allow the full pension value to be inherited on death, while Master Trusts may require most of the fund to be used to purchase an annuity.
- Strategic planning around salary levels, timing, and long-term drawdown goals is now essential for maximising pension efficiency.
Hope it helps.