Defined benefit pensions may be in decline but they have not gone away
Defined benefit pensions offer security, but members must stay engaged to manage risks, funding concerns and lifestyle needs throughout retirement
Pensions Focus Special Report
Pensions Focus looks at all aspects of the rapidly evolving Irish pensions market from green pension funds to auto-enrolment delays and the introduction of master trusts, and highlights the critical importance of starting early on the retirement savings journey. It also looks at the options open to people as they approach retirement and need to make decisions on how much risk they are prepared to take with their hard-earned pension savings.
Auto-enrolment expands pension coverage – but leaves 350,000 self-employed behind
The self-employed – excluded from the My Future Fund scheme’s generous State contributions – face the same old challenge: funding retirement alone
Retirement is just the start of the next investment chapter
Your pension strategy needs more than just time; key decisions along the way can shape your financial future
Simplicity at the heart of new auto-enrolment pension scheme
National Auto Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority will do the ‘heavy lifting’
Pension planning: Take risk, reward and the inflation trap into account
Volatility and risk are often confused – but knowing the difference is crucial when investing your pension pot for long-term retirement income
Mobilising Irish pensions to support enterprise and innovation
Irish pension funds hold €141bn, mostly overseas. Experts say even modest domestic investment could boost jobs, innovation, and economic resilience
Pension decisions: Aligning risk appetite with your long-term financial goals is key
From high-growth equity funds to low-risk cash options, pension savers have a wide array of investment choices
Additional voluntary contributions: A little more today can mean a lot more tomorrow
AVCs can supercharge your pension – tax relief and flexible options make it easier than you think to boost your retirement income
Has sustainable pension investing had its day?
With ESG under fire, political pushback in the US is reshaping the global sustainable investment landscape
Governance rules push smaller pension schemes to consolidate
EU’s IORP II directive has led to major changes in Irish pension governance, prompting a shift to master trusts and raising compliance standards
Poor financial literacy and missed opportunities can leave pension pots lacking
Many underestimate what’s needed for a comfortable retirement, or even a decent standard of living
Transformative change is on the way but it comes with complications
The launch of My Future Fund marks the biggest shake-up in Irish pensions since ARFs, with up to 800,000 workers set to join the retirement savings system
In a world of greenwashing, how green is your pension?
Greening your pension is 21 times more effective than relinquishing flying, turning vegetarian and changing energy provider combined
Top up your pension while you still can, but be mindful of Revenue rules
Additional voluntary contributions can supercharge a pension when a person is nearing retirement, and they can also be a tax-efficient use of funds
‘The earlier you start, the better’: How to stretch a pension to meet retirement needs
Starting a pension as early as possible is crucial – a person starting at age 35 can expect a pension fund about 80 per cent larger than someone starting at age 45
Twenty years on, and amid residual scepticism, pension auto-enrolment is in sight
Scheme is aimed at addressing the persistently low rate of supplementary pensions coverage among private sector workers
Low pension coverage defies generous tax relief
Pension scheme members get full tax relief on contributions, subject to certain restrictions
What are the best pension options for the self-employed?
Being self-employed comes with many perks but you have to fund your pension without employer contributions
Women working eight years longer than men for same pension pot
Ideal time to gender-proof pension policy with Auto Enrolment on the way
Employees switching to master trusts over onerous pension schemes
Master trusts allow multiple employers to participate under the same shared arrangement, offering economies of scale and other advantages
Racing to the finish: How pension savers can make up for lost time
‘A pension remains the most tax-effective way to save for retirement ... a decision that you will not regret’
Upon retirement the tough choices begin
Decisions you take at this point will have a significant bearing on your financial security and that of your dependants
Pensions: The longer you leave it, the bigger the loss down the road
Is Government action required to make the pension system more attractive to younger people?
Navigating defined benefit pension pots
What is the best option: to stick and wait to receive your pension entitlement in retirement? Or twist and invest it in defined contribution arrangement
Crisis in Irish retirement savings has no silver-bullet solution
With 800k workers banking solely on the State pension, a multi-faceted approach is needed to help people plan their financial future
AVCs the best and most tax-efficient way to top up your pension pot
Additional voluntary contributions allow you to boost your pension fund – great news if you started saving late or want to retire early
Economies of scale make larger trusts masters of the pension universe
The burden of meeting new regulatory requirements has led many employers to move their pensions schemes to master trusts
Defined benefit pension schemes – should you stick or twist?
Whether to take up an enhanced transfer value offer is a huge and complex decision, and warrants specialised advice
What are the early drawdown options on my pension fund?
With cost of living increases driving people to access their funds early , experts weigh in on early drawdown
Devil will be in the detail of national auto-enrolment pension scheme
The many unknowns about the State’s auto-enrolment pension plan make it hard for employers to prepare
How green is my pension? Retirement funds reflect ESG investing shift
Consumers want sustainable options, with implications for where fund managers invest their pensions
What to do if you’re in your 40s or 50s and haven’t started a pension
If you’ve been pouring your spare cash into a business for years or just didn’t have enough to put in a pension, late starters still have options
What should you do with your pension when you move jobs?
Thinking of making a career move? What to do with your pension when you change jobs
Approved retirement fund or annuity? Weighing up pension options
Danielle Barron looks at the pros and cons of ARFs and annuities, based on your attitude to risk and personal income requirements at retirement
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