The Impact of Global Market Trends on Your ARF Investments
Wouldn’t it be great if your money kept growing even in retirement? Well, with an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF), it does. An ARF is where the balance of your pension goes when you have taken your 25% tax free lump sum. It keeps your money invested during retirement and gives you the flexibility to withdraw […]
Financial Advice for Contractors in Ireland: How do I Make the Most of it financially?
Contracting offers flexibility and control over what, when, and where you work, but it also comes with financial responsibilities. While contractors often enjoy higher day rates than salaried employees, financial planning for contractors is key to building financial security and independence. We’ll cover the financial risks associated with contracting, strategies to mitigate them, and actionable […]
Is Your Pension Pot on Track for the Retirement Lifestyle You Want?
When you picture your retirement, do you see yourself still enjoying your favourite pastimes while also ticking new experiences off your list? Do you see yourself living comfortably, your pension plan unaltered by a changing world? In short, do your current pension plans align with your future lifestyle goals? If yes, fantastic, you’ve got it […]
How Leaving Your Pension Behind Could Cost You Over €100k
Unfortunately, many people lose track of or neglect their pensions from past jobs, leaving substantial sums of money languishing in underperforming schemes. This article explores how failing to consolidate your pension funds can result in missed growth opportunities, costing you tens—or even hundreds—of thousands of euros by the time you retire, with practical advice on […]
Budget 2025: The Personal Finance Take
Yesterday’s Budget 2025 announcement made a number of positive changes for Irish residents Personal Finances. In this newsletter, we’ll highlight the most significant measures from Budget 2025 that could affect your income, savings, and long-term financial planning, providing actionable insights to help you stay ahead. 1. Income Tax Changes Tax Bands: The Standard Rate Cut-Off […]
Market Review – January 2024
January marked the beginning of a new year, but this did not signal any change in the momentum of the equity markets, with 2023’s best performers in Japan and the US delivering strong returns to start the year. Japanese equities had an especially prolific January, with the Nikkei 225 reaching multi-decade highs and finally approaching […]
Market Review – December 2023
The book has closed for another year, and 2024 is upon us. The outlook as we head into the new year is vastly different to the sentiment around the markets this time last year. 2022 delivered dismal performance and offered little clarity on key issues such as the rampant inflation or the supply chain issues […]
Market Update November
November has historically been a fruitful month for equities, and it didn’t disappoint this year, with equities shaking off the malaise of the last three months to deliver exceptional returns, led by spikes in the S&P500 and NASDAQ indexes. These gains came from renewed optimism that central banks will begin cutting rates earlier than anticipated […]
Market Update – October 2023
A dismal second half to October for equities led to another month of decline across the major equity indices amidst high volatility triggered by sharp ascents in bond yields, even as earnings season started strongly in the US. The sentiment around interest rates and the expectation of elevated rates sticking around for longer than anticipated […]
Market Update – September 2023
Historically, September has proven to be a poor month for global equity markets, and 2023 has been no exception, with the majority of major global equity indexes posting losses on the month, particularly in the US, which had thus far been among the strongest performers of the year. But while equities didn’t deliver good news […]