Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast

Episoade

• Pension Drawdown Above €2M: The €243,000 Timing Decision (SFT Ireland) 15.06.2026 41min

  If your pension is approaching or has passed €2 million, the question is no longer just how to grow it, it's how to generate income without handing a significant portion to Revenue unnecessarily. The Standard Fund Threshold in Ireland rose to €2.2 million in January 2026, and the decisions you make in the next few years will determine how much of that headroom you actually use. In this episode, Paddy covers the income strategies that matter most at the SFT level. If your pension is approaching €1.5 million or more, this episode is for you. • Why timing your Benefit Crystallisation Events can shelter up to €500,000 from Chargeable Excess Tax • How the lump sum offset mechanism reduces your CET exposure — and what the effective SFT really is in 2026 • What the imputed distribution rules mean when your ARF exceeds €2 million • How to manage income through the standard rate tax band efficiently • Why spousal pension planning is one of the most underused strategies at this level   📊 Find out how we work and have a look at our Retirement Readiness Scorecard: https://www.informeddecisions.ie 📖 Read the full blog: www.informeddecisions.ie/post/generating-income-standard-fund-threshold-ireland ABOUT THE SHOW The Informed Decisions podcast is hosted by Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA — independent, fee-only retirement planner in Ireland. The podcast and the blog at informeddecisions.ie are educational resources for Irish professionals, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals navigating retirement, tax efficiency, and investment strategy. DISCLAIMER This podcast is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute personalised financial advice. Figures and rules referenced reflect the position as at May 2026 and are subject to change. Always speak to a qualified, independent financial advisor about your specific situation.
• Bonds Aren't Broken. What the 1970s Tell Irish Retirees About Bonds Today 08.06.2026 27min

  A lot of investors have written off bonds after 2022. In this episode, Paddy Delaney explains why that conclusion is based on a misreading of how bonds work — and what the historical data actually shows. The 10-year US Treasury yield went from under 6% to over 11% during the 1970s. Bonds still returned 5.4% per year. The worst single year was a loss of less than 1%. If bonds survived that rate environment, what does it mean for the environment we are in today? In this episode: - How bond returns are calculated (starting yield and duration) - Why rising interest rates improve your future bond returns, not reduce them - What the 1970s data shows, using Damodaran historical records - What this means practically for anyone with bonds in an ARF or occupational pension - A short note on lifestyling: being moved into bonds automatically is very different from choosing to hold them This episode is relevant if you are approaching retirement, already in retirement, or reviewing an ARF or pension that includes a bond allocation. If you would like to talk through your own situation, book a Clarity Call at www.informeddecisions.ie Full blog post: www.informeddecisions.ie/post/bonds-arf-retirement-ireland  • All Informed Decisions podcast episodes: www.informeddecisions.ie/podcast/   ABOUT THE SHOW The Informed Decisions podcast is hosted by Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA — independent, fee-only retirement planner in Ireland. The podcast and the blog at informeddecisions.ie are educational resources for Irish professionals, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals navigating retirement, tax efficiency, and investment strategy. Find Paddy at www.informeddecisions.ie   TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Bonds and Market Perceptions 02:43 Understanding Bonds: Their Role and Functionality 05:20 The Impact of Interest Rates on Bond Investments 08:20 Predictability of Bond Returns and Historical Context 11:11 The Mechanics of Bond Funds and Their Advantages 14:01 Current Bond Market Landscape and Future Outlook 17:03 Strategic Considerations for Investors and Pension Holders 19:46 Common Misconceptions and Mistakes in Bond Investing 22:25 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts   DISCLAIMER This podcast is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute personalised financial advice. Figures and rules referenced reflect the position as at May 2026 and are subject to change. Always speak to a qualified, independent financial advisor about your specific situation.
• Pension When You Change Jobs in Ireland: The 4 Most Important Decisions for Professionals 01.06.2026 36min

  "There's a pension somewhere in your name that you haven't looked at in five years." That's a sentence Paddy finds himself saying in client meetings more often than you'd expect. Across a 25-year career, the typical Irish professional works for three or four different employers — and the result, by the time someone reaches their mid-fifties, is often €100,000 to €500,000 spread across multiple dormant pensions that haven't been reviewed in years. In this episode, Paddy walks through what he calls the forgotten pension problem: the structural feature of Irish pension administration that means employer-funded pensions don't follow you when you change jobs. He explains the 2-year vesting rule, what it means to be a "deferred member" of a scheme, and the four decisions every senior professional faces when leaving a role with a pension: leave it where it is, transfer to your new employer's scheme, transfer to a Personal Retirement Bond, or transfer to a PRSA. He also covers two structural changes that took effect at the start of 2026. The first is auto-enrolment "My Future Fund", which launched on 1 January 2026 and now automatically enrols workers earning over €20,000 who aren't already in a workplace pension. The second is a new restriction: transfers from group occupational schemes to personal pension structures (PRSA or PRB) are now only permitted before Normal Retirement Age — a planning point for anyone approaching a late-career exit. The episode closes with the annual pension audit — three questions Paddy walks through with clients each year to address the forgotten pension problem deliberately rather than letting inertia decide. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction to Forgotten Pensions (01:53) Understanding the Forgotten Pension Problem (07:32) Options for Managing Your Pension (18:26) Recent Changes in Pension Regulations (27:12) Key Considerations for Senior Professionals (31:15) Strategies to Address the Forgotten Pension Problem RESOURCES MENTIONED •  Full blog post (with the four-options framework, 2026 rule changes, and audit checklist):     https://www.informeddecisions.ie/pension-when-you-change-jobs-ireland/ •  Companion episode — PRSA vs Company Pension / Master Trust:     https://www.informeddecisions.ie/prsa-vs-company-pension-ireland/ •  All Informed Decisions podcast episodes:     https://www.informeddecisions.ie/podcast/ ABOUT THE SHOW The Informed Decisions podcast is hosted by Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA — independent, fee-only retirement planner in Ireland. The podcast and the blog at informeddecisions.ie are educational resources for Irish professionals, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals navigating retirement, tax efficiency, and investment strategy. Find Paddy at https://informeddecisions.ie DISCLAIMER This podcast is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute personalised financial advice. Figures and rules referenced reflect the position as at May 2026 and are subject to change. Always speak to a qualified, independent financial advisor about your specific situation.
• PRSA vs Company Pension in Ireland: Which Is Right for You? 25.05.2026 26min

  After the 22 April IORP II deadline, thousands of Irish directors are now in a pension structure they didn't deliberately choose. Most transitioned from an executive pension to a Master Trust or a PRSA under time pressure. Few sat down to ask whether the resulting structure is actually the one that serves them best. In this episode, Paddy walks through the PRSA versus Executive Pension / Master Trust decision in detail: Funding mechanics, lump sum comparison, death benefit treatment, and the second decision most people never review: the investment mandate inside the structure. The episode is anchored to an anonymised client story: a company director in his mid-60s who came to Informed Decisions in early 2023 with a €1.4m pension and one question. Less than three years later, with a different structure and a different investment mandate, that pension is worth over €2m. The estimated cost of taking the "safe" advice he was offered elsewhere: approximately €500,000 of growth.   WHAT'S COVERED Why the IORP II deadline forced a structural decision under time pressure How PRSA contribution rules changed in 2023 and 2025 When the Master Trust's salary-and-service formula beats the PRSA's 100 % cap How the 1.5× salary lump sum compares to the PRSA's 25 % rule Why the PRSA's uncapped death benefit can change estate planning How the Standard Fund Threshold (€2.2m → €2.8m by 2029) affects strategy Why de-risking at 65 doesn't fit modern Irish retirement timelines Full written breakdown with comparison table, IORP II timeline, and FAQs: www.informeddecisions.ie/post/prsa-vs-company-pension-ireland If this episode raised questions about your current contribution strategy is going to get you where you want to go, that's exactly what we work through with clients. Find out more at https://www.informeddecisions.ie    ABOUT Informed Decisions is an independent, fee-only financial advisory firm in Ireland. Paddy Delaney works with a small number of clients each year, typically business owners and senior professionals approaching retirement, to plan and protect retirement decisions in coordinated, tax-efficient ways. If today's episode raised questions about your own pension: whether the structure is right, whether the investment mandate has been reviewed, or how to think about both together: visit https://www.informeddecisions.ie to see how we work. DISCLAIMER This podcast is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial advice. Everyone's situation is different. Always speak to a qualified, independent advisor before making pension or investment decisions. Tax rules and pension regulations change; figures quoted are accurate at time of recording.
• Risk and Reward in Retirement: What Ben Carlson's Research Means for Irish Investors - Interview 18.05.2026 43min

  Most people approaching retirement believe their job is to reduce risk. Get out of equities. Move into something safe. Ben Carlson disagrees — and he has the research to back it up. Ben is Director at Ritholtz Wealth Management in the US, author of Risk and Reward (Harriman House, May 2026), and one of the most widely read financial writers working today. He's spent his career studying every major market crash in modern history: the Great Depression, Japan's lost decades, the dot-com bust, 2008 and what they actually mean for long-term investors. In this episode, Paddy and Ben talk about Ben's new Book: They cover the yin and yang of Risk and Reward Why globally diversified investors still came out ahead from financial crises The three dimensions of risk tolerance (willingness, need, and ability) How to think about drawdown and bucketing, inflation psychology, and the only benchmark that actually matters for someone approaching retirement. Ben's new book Risk and Reward is available now in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook (read by Ben himself) from Harriman House. There's a full written article about this Interview with Ben on the blog at http://www.informeddecisions.ie/post/retirement-risk-and-reward-ireland  If this episode raised questions about where you sit on the age-related table or whether your current contribution strategy is going to get you where you want to go, that's exactly what we work through with clients. Find out more at https://www.informeddecisions.ie  DISCLAIMER: This content is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial advice. Always speak to a qualified, independent advisor about your own situation.
• The Most Consistently Underclaimed Tax Break for Irish High Earners - Pension Tax Relief Explained 11.05.2026 31min

  Most Irish high earners are claiming roughly half the pension tax relief available to them. Not because the rules are complicated, but because the contribution percentage set years ago has simply never been revised. In this episode, Paddy walks through the age-related contribution limits (15% to 40%) the €115,000 earnings cap and what it actually means in practice and a real worked example of a director, age 56, on €180k — who could be claiming €16,100 in tax relief every year but isn't. He also covers the year-end October timing window (you can still reduce last year's tax bill with one decision), five common mistakes that quietly cost high earners thousands, and why the personal contribution question and the structural question, PRSA versus company pension, really need to be looked at together. There's a full written article with the age-related table, the worked example, and year-end timing details on the blog at www.informeddecisions.ie/post/pension-tax-relief-ireland-explained Free Webinar: Should You Sell Your RSUs? - A Practical Guide for Tech Employees in Ireland, 20th May 2026: https://www.informeddecisions.ie/webinar/webinar-should-you-sell-your-rsus If this episode raised questions about where you sit on the age-related table or whether your current contribution strategy is going to get you where you want to go, that's exactly what we work through with clients. Find out more at https://www.informeddecisions.ie  DISCLAIMER: This content is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial advice. Always speak to a qualified, independent advisor about your own situation.
• Is your ARF built to last? - Safe Withdrawal Strategies 04.05.2026 23min

  Most ARF holders know their fund value. Most know Revenue requires a minimum annual drawdown. Very few have stopped to ask whether meeting that minimum is actually a strategy, or simply the path of least resistance. In this episode, Paddy explores safe withdrawal rates in an Irish context: the research on real retiree behaviour, why the 4% rule is both useful and misunderstood, and why the sequence of returns in the first five years of retirement carries disproportionate weight on long-term outcomes. He walks through a concrete sequence-of-return scenario: same starting fund, same average annual return, same withdrawal rate, completely different outcomes and shares a real-life case study of a retired solicitor whose conservative ARF mandate was quietly eroding her fund at a 7% real rate of depletion annually. Covered in this episode: The US Health and Retirement Study findings on actual retiree withdrawals Bill Bengen's 4% rule and its Irish limitations Sequence of return risk and how a cash buffer changes the equation Three common ARF drawdown mistakes and three concrete takeaways. The imputed distribution sets the floor. It doesn't set the strategy. Read the full blog post at www.informeddecisions.ie/post/safe-withdrawal-strategy-arf-ireland DISCLAIMER: This content is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial advice. Always speak to a qualified, independent advisor about your own situation.  
• €2M ARF in Ireland: What You'll Actually Keep — And How to Keep More 27.04.2026 33min

  You've built a €2 million pension. Now here's the question nobody asked you: how much of it will you actually keep? In this episode, Paddy runs the real numbers on what a €2 million ARF looks like in Ireland in 2026: mandatory drawdowns, income tax, USC, PRSI, and the phased strategy that could save you tens of thousands every year in the early stages of retirement. What this Episode covers: Why a €2M ARF triggers a mandatory €120,000 income. Whether you need it or not The real net income after tax: €72,614 at a 39.5% effective rate How phasing your drawdown across two crystallisation events drops your annual tax bill from €47,386 to €8,088 What happens to the deferred pot if it grows at 6% for 8 years, and how that interacts with the Standard Fund Threshold The couple scenario: why joint assessment changes everything SFT mechanics at each Benefit Crystallisation Event and where the margin gets tight The numbers are stark. The structure matters. And getting this wrong (or not thinking about it at all) is one of the most expensive planning gaps we see. Discover the full blog post and show notes on informeddecisions.ie  
• How Much Money Do You Need to Retire in Ireland? 20.04.2026 25min

  In this week's episode, Paddy tackles the question he gets asked more than any other: how much do I actually need to retire in Ireland? Well, for an answer to that question, one should make a proper calculation beforehand, and Paddy is here to help you out by covering the key benchmarks from the Pensions Council report, what they mean in practice, and where they fall short. Some of the specific points covered in this episode: Why the state pension — currently €299.30 per week in 2026 — changes the calculation significantly, and what it means for couples where both partners qualify The simple framework for working out your own number: current spending, minus what disappears, plus what increases, minus state pension, divided by 0.04 Why many couples targeting a comfortable retirement need a private pension pot closer to €300,000–€400,000 than the €1 million figure people often assume The healthcare wildcard — private health insurance costs that the benchmarks don't fully capture Why the question changes completely for those with €1 million or more in pension assets: it's no longer "do I have enough?" but "how do I structure what I have?" The imputed distribution rules every ARF holder needs to understand before drawing down If you're in your 50s or 60s and haven't yet put a real number on what retirement will cost you, this episode is a practical and reassuring place to start. Enjoy listening!
• Is One Million € Enough to Retire? - Real Income from Savings 13.04.2026 32min

  In this week's podcast, Paddy talks about what a €1 million pension can actually generate in retirement—and why the headline number doesn't always match the reality of income. The tax-free lump sum explained You can take 25%, but only the first €200,000 is fully tax-free. The rest may be taxed, reducing what you actually receive. ARF income isn't as high as you think A €750,000 ARF might generate around €30,000 per year—but after tax, that's closer to €25,000 net. The State Pension makes a big difference Adding the State Pension can bring total income to roughly €45,000+, improving monthly income significantly. Annuities offer certainty—but at a cost They provide guaranteed income for life, but you give up control, flexibility, and access to your capital. You can take more—but it comes at a price Higher withdrawals from an ARF are possible, but they increase your tax bill and may reduce long-term sustainability. A mix of ARF and annuity may work best Combining both can give you a balance of guaranteed income and flexibility. Couples have a clear advantage With two State Pensions and wider tax bands, married couples can generate significantly higher net income. What matters isn't the €1 million It's the income it produces—and whether that income supports the life you want. What's realistic, what's sustainable, and what €1 million actually means in retirement. Enjoy listening!
• Best Deposit Rates in Ireland What to Know in 2026 30.03.2026 26min

  In this week's podcast, Paddy talks about why leaving your cash in a current or low-interest account is quietly costing you. Your savings could earn more Demand deposit accounts now offer around 2% and fixed-term options near 3%, so idle cash loses ground to inflation. Use the right tools The CCPC comparison tool helps Irish savers easily compare domestic and international deposit accounts. Rates vary widely Foreign platforms often offer better rates than Irish banks, but terms matter—don't just chase the headline numbers. Tax makes a difference DIRT takes 33% of your interest, so tax-free options like State Savings and some government bonds can be surprisingly competitive. Read the fine print Platforms like Raisin show strong rates, but the advertised "3%" often comes with conditions. Actual easy-access rates are closer to 2%. What's realistic, what's competitive, and how to make your cash work harder for you. Hope it helps.
• Financial Advisor Commissions in Ireland: What Are You Actually Paying? 23.03.2026 30min

  Most people with significant pension assets have no real idea what their financial advisor earns from their money. Not because the information is illegal to share — it isn't — but because the system is designed in a way that makes it genuinely difficult to see. In this episode, Paddy looks at how commission structures work in Irish financial advice, why the difference between a percentage and a euro figure matters enormously, and what a truly transparent client-advisor relationship should actually look like. Key points covered: How initial and trail commissions work on Irish ARFs, pensions and investment products — and what those percentages look like when converted into real euro figures Why the structure of commission-based advice creates a conflict of interest that isn't malicious, but is very real The difference between a suitability standard and a fiduciary duty — and why that distinction could be worth a significant amount of money to you A real client story: a couple who were being advised to keep working and keep contributing, when in fact they already had enough to retire comfortably What good transparency would actually look like — and the three questions every investor should be asking their advisor right now I hope it helps.
• The Silent Thief: What Inflation Is Doing to Your Cash Savings in Ireland 18.03.2026 26min

  In this week's episode, I welcome Aaron to the podcast before diving into a timely topic for Irish savers and investors: how inflation quietly erodes cash savings over time. I look at why holding too much cash can damage long term purchasing power, why fear often keeps people on the sidelines, and why a diversified, low cost investment approach has historically offered a stronger path for long term wealth. Key points: • Inflation reduces the real value of cash, even when your account balance stays the same • Too much money on deposit can weaken long term wealth and legacy outcomes • A diversified global portfolio has historically rewarded patient investors despite short term volatility   I hope it helps.
• Financial Independence, Property, and the Reality of Retirement with Michael Houghton 10.03.2026 54min

  Michael Houghton returns to the Informed Decisions Podcast seven years after his first appearance to share how his thinking on money, work and property has evolved.   Michael is a personal finance writer, former software developer, FIRE advocate, Irish Independent columnist, and now an active property investor building income and wealth through rental property in Ireland.   In this conversation, Michael explains why financial independence is really about choice, not simply giving up work. He shares how he and his family went from extreme saving and FIRE to a more flexible life built around purposeful work, property income, and long term planning.   Key talking points • Michael's journey from New Zealand visitor to living in Ireland for 15 years • How he and his family pursued FIRE by saving aggressively and working towards financial independence • Why hitting your number does not always mean you want to stop working • How he thinks about retirement, purpose, and the value of meaningful work • Why he sees property as a strong long term wealth building tool • The role of rental yield, leverage, refinancing, and bank appetite in building a portfolio • The risks of property investing, including concentration, leverage, insurance, and tenant issues • How property fits alongside pensions and other investments in an overall financial plan   I hope it helps.
• Who Looks After Them When You Can't? Trusts & Wills with Elaine Byrne 03.03.2026 34min

  In this week's podcast, Paddy is joined by specialist solicitor Elaine Byrne to demystify trusts and explain why they're one of the most powerful — and underused — tools in Irish estate planning. From discretionary trusts for young children to protecting a family member with additional needs, Elaine covers the types of trusts, the tax implications, how to update your will, and what it actually costs to get it done right. If you've been putting off your will or wondering whether a trust is relevant to your family — this one's for you. I hope it helps.
• Do I need an Enduring Power of Attorney in Ireland? 17.02.2026 29min

  We can spend decades building our wealth, protecting our families, and planning for retirement. But there's one question most people avoid until it's too late: what happens if you can't make decisions for yourself? In this week's podcast I look at Enduring Power of Attorney. I hope it helps
• Irish Landlord Tax & Tenancy Changes 2026: Expert Guide for Property Investors 09.02.2026 53min

  In this week's podcast, Paddy sits down with guest Brendan Allen to unpack the rental market right now, and it is messy. They get into why so many landlords feel stuck between shifting government rules and real world supply shortages, and how that tension can push rents higher even when the aim is tenant security. Brendan also breaks down the practical business case for staying invested long term, why commercial property can suit some investors better than residential, and what you need to check before you jump in. If you have ever thought, surely it cannot be this complicated, bad news: it can. Good news: you can still make smart calls if you do the work. Key talking points • Why landlord confusion is rising as regulations change and market rent keeps moving • Supply shortages as the core issue, especially outside big cities, and how that affects rents • Commercial vs residential property: returns, maintenance, and what type of investor each suits
• What The New Standard Fund Threshold Means for Your Retirement 27.01.2026 32min

  If you're saving for retirement or nearing the end of your career, or eyeing retirement or a 'handier' role :) a significant change is on the horizon that could meaningfully affect how much tax you'll pay on your pension. From 2026, the Standard Fund Threshold (SFT), the maximum value you can accumulate across all retirement benefits without triggering additional tax charge, will begin to increase for the first time in over a decade. For many high earners and diligent savers, this represents a genuine opportunity to improve tax efficiency, reduce liabilities, and plan more strategically around when and how to access your retirement benefits. This piece aims to keep it plain English, and I hope you will learn: ‍ • What the Standard Fund Threshold is in 2026 and why it matters • How your pension is valued for SFT • What tax applies if you breach it, and differences between Defined Benefit, and the rest! • Smart planning moves before you retire • When to get help and stop guessing
• Retirement Planning Ireland: Get Ready for 2026! 19.01.2026 25min

  If you are thinking about retiring in 2026, or even easing back from full time work, this is the year where small decisions start to matter a lot. In this week's episode, I look at how to check if retirement is actually realistic, which pension moves still make sense, and how to think about income rather than just fund size. This is about clarity, not hype. And avoiding expensive mistakes!   Key talking points   • Why the year before retirement is the most valuable planning window • The five numbers you must know before saying "I'm nearly there" • Why income planning beats obsessing over pension fund size • Pension contribution and AVC opportunities that disappear if you delay • Cash buffers and why they reduce stress more than people expect • When investment risk becomes your friend and when it becomes a problem • Sequence risk explained in plain English • Common mistakes we see from people one to two years out from retirement • What you should have ready before speaking to a financial planner   I hope it helps!
• Two Big Pension Changes You Need To Know About For 2026 13.01.2026 26min

  If you have an Executive Pension/SSAS or are a member of an Occupational Pension Scheme approaching retirement, you might want to know about these big changes coming your way! Two major pension updates are colliding; - One from European regulation relating to 'Exec Pensions' and 'Small Self Administered' schemes (SSAS) which impacts self employed directors - One from Revenue relating to employees and losing control over their group pension schemes after 'Normal Retirement Age' (NRA) Both can change where your pension sits, how it is invested, and when you can access it. And all of it can happen without your say so, if you do nothing. ‍Key points I'll share today; What the European IORPS2 deadline really means for Executive and SSAS pensions How automatic moves to Master Trusts work The big Revenue change limiting pension transfers from Occupational Pension Schemes Why early retirement plans are most exposed What practical steps make sense now I hope it helps.