Drawing Tax Efficient Income From PRSA or ARF In Your 50's
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
Release Date: 12/02/2025
Investments in 2025 & 'It Takes A Village'
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
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.
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Pre Retirement Checklist Christmas Edition
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
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...
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Should I Invest In Dividend Stocks To Generate Income?
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
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...
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Drawing Tax Efficient Income From PRSA or ARF In Your 50's
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
This episode looks at practical ways to pull income from pensions without handing more to Revenue than you need to. You hear how rental income fits into the picture, how a non-earning partner’s tax band can save you money, and why timing matters when you’ve no salary coming in. The chat keeps circling back to one point. Your own setup dictates the smartest drawdown plan. Takeaways • You can pull income from pensions in a planned, tax-efficient way. • Your personal position drives every decision. No two households look the same. • Rental income changes the order in which you tap...
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Markets Are High...Should I Jump To Cash, Out Of Equities?
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
Is now the right time to move a chunk of your investment or pension assets out of equities, and into Bonds, Money Market Funds or Cash? It's a question that you may be asking because of a headline you read, an online commentator with a scary statistic, or someone you chatted with spoke of impending doom! I'll not tell you here whether you should or you should not, but I will briefly share actual potential outcomes for you to consider, before you give it another seconds' thought! I hope it helps! This podcast is guidance only. Always seek qualified financial advice for your own situation
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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
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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...
info_outlineThis episode looks at practical ways to pull income from pensions without handing more to Revenue than you need to.
You hear how rental income fits into the picture, how a non-earning partner’s tax band can save you money, and why timing matters when you’ve no salary coming in.
The chat keeps circling back to one point. Your own setup dictates the smartest drawdown plan.
Takeaways
• You can pull income from pensions in a planned, tax-efficient way.
• Your personal position drives every decision. No two households look the same.
• Rental income changes the order in which you tap different pots.
• A partner with no taxable income can unlock unused standard-rate band.
• Taking modest amounts early can help you avoid chunky tax later.
• A quick yearly review keeps you from drifting into higher tax.
• State pensions may give you room to delay pension withdrawals.
• Mixing income sources often gives you steadier and cleaner results.
• Avoiding forced withdrawals in later life protects long-term value.
• You worked for it. You should enjoy it.