5 things to know about pensions, according to a financial advisor

Mention the word 'pension' to most people and the eyes start to glaze over, but we are demographically an ever-increasing ageing population (1.8million predicted to be over 66 in less than 24 years time) and pensions are an important part of that reality.

Auto-enrolment is finally being introduced in September 2025 - which I believe may be a case off too little too late - and the current government is thinking of incentivising those who wish to delay their pension at age 66 by a year for a 4% higher weekly payment - whether that will be worthwhile is up to you.

John Lowe of MoneyDoctors.ie simplifies what you need to know with these five basic pension concepts..

1. The pension is the best investment in Ireland

If you are on 20% or 40% tax rate, for every €100 you invest in your pension the government give you back €20 or €40. Means you are up in your investment 20% or 40% before you start – obviously, being on the higher tax rate makes it more advantageous. This makes it the best investment option in Ireland bar none if your have a taxable income.

2. The older you are, the more you can contribute to your pension to maximise your tax relief

For example: if you are between 30 and 40 years of age, you could invest up to 20% of your net relevant earnings into your pension. e.g. € 40,000 annual salary allows you to invest up to €8,000 per annum or €666.67 per month into a pension meaning that the 40% taxpayer will receive a tax credit of €3,200 annually or €266.67 per month so effectively the pension is only costing €400 per month.

As for the new auto-enrolment starting September 2025 - at the end of 10 years of contributions from both employer and employee plus a government contribution, you can look forward to a maximum total of 14% each year invested in your pension.

A 24-year old can invest today 15% on their own income into a pension and obtain potentially 40% or 20% tax relief on it instantly from year one depending on their annual income.

3. Know your retirement age

Occupational pensions (set up by your employer) generally have a Normal Retirement Age - NRA - of 65 (or 66 in some cases and for executives age 60) while setting up your own pension will allow you to access your fund at age 60 (Personal Retirement Savings Account - PRSAs).

With the retirement age being pushed out to age 68 from 2039 – only 17 years away, it means that most taxpayers will need to maintain employment til that age when the State Pension kicks in, currently €299.30 per week. Don’t delay, invest something into a pension as the government may not have the funds to pay the State Pension on an ongoing basis.

4. Transfer your pensions

Working in different companies means you may have a collection of pensions that you may have to wait to access until your NRA (Normal Retirement Age).

Those companies in the interim could go out of business, declare bankruptcy or liquidate. You will also need a trustee from your former company to sign off to access your pension on retirement date. You could have a problem.

This could be resolved by simply transferring that occupational pension – the old job you left - into a Personal Retirement Bond.

This has many benefits:

- You are now in control of the pension
- You can decide where it is invested
- At age 50, irrespective of your NRA, you can commute this fund

Take 25% tax free up to a maximum of € 500,000, with the first € 200,000 tax free and the balance taxable at 20%

Transfer the balance into an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF)
- You choose the funds ( to maximise returns )
- Once aged 60, you must take out 4% per annum ( called imputed distributions ) and on reaching age 71, increase to 5% per annum.
- You can also draw down up to 15% in total each year without penalty but obviously you will run out of funds much quicker…

If you die and you have a spouse/civil partner, the balance of the ARF automatically is transferred to that person as if it is their own ARF. If both you and your partner die, it goes to your children ( they pay 30% in tax on the fund ) or your estate if you do not have children.

It will certainly be worth your while to check out if your old pension can be transferred to a Personal Retirement Bond or Buy Out Bond.

5. Commuting your pension

When you reach retirement age, your pension fund becomes accessible to you. Many people are unaware of what happens next or what the best option is for them.

For example: at retirement age your fund is €500,000. What now?

- You can take 25% tax free (€125,000)
- With the balance of €375,000, you can go two ways

1. ANNUITY
A set interest rate on the day of retirement that never changes. Current annuity rates are low ( they are linked to bank interest rates ) so at c. 2.5%, your monthly annuity would be € 781.25 per month for life.

This is also taxable and generally only guaranteed for the first five years. In the 6th year, you die and the insurance company keeps the € 375,000 not your family.

2. APPROVED RETIREMENT FUND (ARF)
You choose where you want to invest (so even in retirement you still have to manage your fund to maximise returns).

- Once aged 60, you must take 4% annually (or in monthly payments of €1,250) called imputed distributions.

- On reaching age 71, you must take 5% annually (or monthly €1,562.50). You can take up to a maximum of 15% each year without penalty, but obviously reducing the fund faster and shortening the payment span.

If you die, the balance of the fund goes to your civil partner or spouse as if it is their ARF. If you both die, the fund goes to your children but they pay a 30% tax on the fund balance. If no children, the fund goes to your estate for distribution according to the wishes in your Will.

There, you read through it – well done! It really is in your best interest to start thinking pensions. Give me a call if you’re worried.

For more information click on John Lowe's profile above or on his website.