Reducing Investment Risk Before Retirement: A Smart Pension Strategy for Irish Workers
As you approach retirement, the decisions you make about your pension fund investment strategy will have a lasting impact on the income you receive for the rest of your life. Yet this is precisely the area where many Irish pension savers make their biggest mistakes — either de-risking too aggressively too early, or not de-risking […]
Financial Advisor Ireland: Real Costs, Hidden Fees & Whether Advice Is Worth It
Most people in Ireland have no idea what they pay for financial advice — or whether they’re paying for it at all. The truth is, you could be paying for advice through annual management charges on your pension without ever receiving a single phone call. Understanding how financial advisors in Ireland charge, what you should […]
CAT Thresholds Ireland: Capital Acquisitions Tax, Gift Tax & Family Wealth Planning
Capital Acquisitions Tax — CAT — is one of the most financially significant taxes Irish families face, yet one of the least planned for. With property values having risen dramatically over the past two decades, a growing number of Irish inheritances now exceed the tax-free thresholds, creating unexpected tax bills at exactly the moment families […]
Pension Contributions in Ireland: Tax Relief, Age Limits & How to Maximise Every Euro
Pension contributions are one of the most powerful tools available to Irish workers for reducing their tax bill — yet the majority of people contribute far less than they’re entitled to and end up paying more tax than necessary. In 2026, with the Standard Fund Threshold rising to €2.2 million and age-related limits offering up […]
How to Invest Your Pension at 50: A Smart Strategy Guide
Turning 50 is a natural moment to stop and take stock of your retirement savings. You’re likely earning more than you were in your 30s, the mortgage may be shrinking, and retirement has gone from a distant idea to something you can actually picture. It’s also, for many people in Ireland, the first time they […]
Income Protection in Ireland: What It Is and Who Needs It
Your income is your most valuable asset. It funds your mortgage, covers daily expenses, supports your family, and drives your long-term financial plans. But what would happen if a serious illness or injury prevented you from working for months , or even years? Income protection is one of the most important yet most overlooked areas […]
How a Certified Financial Planner in Ireland Can Help You
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by pensions, tax planning, or long-term savings, you’re not alone. A certified financial planner Ireland can cut through the confusion and help you build a plan that actually works for your life. At Money Sense Financial Services, based in Killarney, Kerry, our team has been helping families and individuals across […]
Pension Contributions in Ireland: What You Need to Know
Planning for retirement can feel distant , until it isn’t. The sooner you start making meaningful pension contributions Ireland, the more time compound growth has to work in your favour. At Money Sense Financial Services, we help clients across Kerry and Ireland understand their pension options, maximise their contributions, and plan confidently for the retirement […]
Your Family Home Could Trigger a €33,000 Inheritance Tax Bill in Ireland – Here’s How to Prevent It
In Ireland, inheritance tax is called Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) and is charged at a flat 33% on the value of inheritances above the relevant group threshold. For a child inheriting from a parent (Group A), the current lifetime tax-free threshold is €400,000 (raised from €335,000 in the October 2024 Budget). A family home worth […]
Over €500 Million in Pensions Are Unclaimed in Ireland – Is One of Them Yours?
If you’ve worked for more than one employer in Ireland, you almost certainly have a previous pension attached to at least one of those jobs, whether or not you remember opting in. Under Irish pension law, once you’ve completed a qualifying vesting period (usually two years of scheme membership), the pension entitlement belongs to you […]
