Informed Decisions: Ireland's Independent Retirement Planning Podcast

Today, we're diving into the real-life(ish) story of Fran – a regular guy who built a €2 million+ pension pot and retired at 55.

No big lotto win. No magic investment hacks. Just smart use of Ireland's pension system, discipline, and a few skipped car upgrades!

Fran started young, contributed consistently, and maximised every bit of tax relief and employer matching he could get his hands on. He invested for growth, kept his cool through market crashes, and stuck to the plan. Over 30 years, a €350,000 net contribution turned into a €2 million pension pot.

We walk through: • Exactly how Fran built that pot • How he drew income tax-efficiently from 55 onwards • How he used the ARF to stay flexible and keep control • And how he left a legacy worth millions – without giving half of it to Revenue

If you're working in Ireland and want financial independence on your own terms, Fran's journey is a blueprint worth paying attention to.

No fluff, no jargon – just a straight-talking guide to building your future wealth and freedom.

Let's dive in and see what we can learn from Fran's €2M success story.

I hope it helps.

Disclaimer

The content of this site including blogs and podcasts is for information purposes only. Everybody's financial situation is different and the content we share on our site and through podcasts may not be applicable to you.

The articles, blogs and podcasts are not investment advice. They do not take account of your individual circumstances, including your knowledge and experience and attitude to risk. Informed Decisions can't be held responsible for the consequences if you pursue a course of action based on the information we share

Welcome to Informed Decisions Podcast, where we bring you expert insights for Irish investors and retirees.

Today, we have a rip-roaring guest joining us - Bill Bengen, the financial planner who literally wrote the book on retirement withdrawals. Back in 1994, Bill's groundbreaking research established what became known worldwide as the "4% rule".

This was the cornerstone of retirement planning, that suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually without running out of money.

But here's where it gets interesting for our Irish listeners: Bill has been revisiting his own work, and his latest research suggests that retirees today might actually be able to take 5% from their Approved Retirement Funds over multiple decades, not the traditional 4% many have been following.

For those managing ARFs here in Ireland, this could be game-changing news. We know how crucial it is to balance enjoying your retirement years while ensuring your money lasts - it's that delicate dance between living well today and having security tomorrow.

Bill's going to walk us through exactly why he believes this adjustment makes sense in today's market conditions, and how to think about implementing this approach with your own ARF strategy.

Whether you're already drawing from your ARF or planning for that transition, this conversation could reshape how you think about your retirement income. Let's dive in with the man who started it all!

I hope it helps.

Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA

Disclaimer: Seek professional advice before taking any course of action.

Disclaimer

The content of this site including blogs and podcasts is for information purposes only. Everybody's financial situation is different and the content we share on our site and through podcasts may not be applicable to you.

The articles, blogs and podcasts are not investment advice. They do not take account of your individual circumstances, including your knowledge and experience and attitude to risk. Informed Decisions can't be held responsible for the consequences if you pursue a course of action based on the information we share

In this episode of the Informed Decisions podcast, I chat with Rob Halligan and Scott Ashmore, co-founders of Shuttle, a platform aiming to democratise access to private equity and venture capital investments. The conversation dives into the fundamentals of private markets, how they differ from public equity investing, and why early-stage companies often turn to private capital over traditional bank loans. Rob and Scott shed light on the risk-reward profile of venture investing, the importance of diversification, and how Shuttle helps everyday investors participate in an asset class typically reserved for institutions and high-net-worth individuals. The discussion also explores the mechanics of venture funding - from pre-seed to Series D rounds - highlighting how company valuations are set and the expected timeframes for returns. With Central Bank of Ireland authorisation, Shuttle operates a quarterly investment model, allowing users to gain exposure to a portfolio of vetted startups. The duo outline their vision for the platform, its future expansion into VC fund access, and how it aligns incentives by charging only a modest annual fee and a performance-based profit share. Key Points:

• Private vs Public Markets: Private equity involves investing in unlisted companies, offering potentially higher returns but greater risk and illiquidity.
• Venture Capital Basics: VC is a subset of private equity focused on early-stage, high-growth startups, structured around funding rounds (e.g., Seed, Series A-C).
• High Risk, High Reward: Venture capital returns follow a power law distribution—few winners generate most of the returns.
• Diversification is Key: Investors should aim for 50+ holdings to reduce risk; Shuttle structures this via quarterly "drops" of 2–3 companies.
• Accessibility: Shuttle enables retail investors to participate in venture deals from as little as €250 per quarter.
• Platform Model: Investors pay €250/year plus a 10% fee only on realised profits, aligning platform and investor interests.
• Liquidity & Exit: Returns typically take 5–10 years; Shuttle is exploring secondary markets to improve interim liquidity.
• Market Trends: Private companies are staying private longer; institutional data points to retail access as the next frontier.
• Educational Focus: Shuttle supports investor understanding through simplified UX, content, and risk-appropriate onboarding.

I hope it helps JoinShuttle.com Grit by Angela Duckworth – recommended by Rob Halligan. A book about the power of passion and perseverance in achieving success. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell – recommended by Scott Ashmore. It explores what makes high achievers different, focusing on the factors that contribute to success. Disclaimer

If you've ever looked at your pension statement and thought, "What does this actually mean?" You're not alone. In this episode, #338, we're cutting through the jargon and making sense of Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes, especially for Irish employees and retirees.

These schemes can offer incredible long-term value, but many people don't fully understand how they work, what they're worth, or what decisions they might face around them. Whether you're still paying into a DB scheme or left it behind years ago, we'll walk you through the key numbers, why these pensions are so unique, and how to approach big decisions, like whether to transfer out. It's all about helping you understand, appreciate, and protect one of your most valuable financial assets.

I hope it helps.

Disclaimer

The content of this site including blogs and podcasts is for information purposes only. Everybody's financial situation is different and the content we share on our site and through podcasts may not be applicable to you.

The articles, blogs and podcasts are not investment advice. They do not take account of your individual circumstances, including your knowledge and experience and attitude to risk. Informed Decisions can't be held responsible for the consequences if you pursue a course of action based on the information we share

For the past 8 years, I've been making the case that most investors, particularly those who can tolerate volatility, should avoid Lifestyle investment strategies in pensions. It's been a lonely stance, with little to no mainstream coverage, even though investor feedback on my analysis was consistently positive.

Back in early 2024, I shared updated research on Lifestyle and Default Investment strategies used by pension funds in Ireland. The results were clear: even after more than a decade of strong market performance, investors who took the 'Do It For Me' route, defaulting to cautious, de-risking strategies, ended up with significantly poorer outcomes than those who chose a more hands-on, equity-focused approach.

Was I mad? Or missing something? It appears not.

Disclaimer

The content of this site including blogs and podcasts is for information purposes only. Everybody's financial situation is different and the content we share on our site and through podcasts may not be applicable to you.

The articles, blogs and podcasts are not investment advice. They do not take account of your individual circumstances, including your knowledge and experience and attitude to risk. Informed Decisions can't be held responsible for the consequences if you pursue a course of action based on the information we share

This week I flashback to a podcast from 2021! While it is a few years old its a common and important question.

Key takeaways

• How big your pension should be when you start drawing down income
• How big your pension should be at various stages of your life
• What you can do if it's not as big as you would like it to be!
• How to live 14.9% longer!

I hope it helps!

Disclaimer

In this week's podcast I chat with Dr. Daniel Crosby. He discusses the evolution of behavioral finance over the past eight years, reflecting on the growing acceptance and understanding of the field. He shares insights from his latest book, 'The Soul of Wealth,' emphasising the importance of health, happiness, and meaningful spending. The discussion also covers the role of community in financial behavior, the impact of delayed gratification, and the future of wealth management in an AI-driven world. Crosby highlights the necessity of practical applications in financial education and the importance of understanding one's relationship with money.

Dr. Daniel Crosby is a psychologist, author, behavioral finance expert and asset manager who applies his study of market psychology to everything from financial product design to security selection.

Key takeaways

• Behavioral finance has gained significant traction in the last eight years.
• Investors today are better educated and more disciplined than in the past.
• The focus of behavioral finance is shifting from avoiding mistakes to enhancing well-being.
• Health is a crucial component of wealth and happiness.
• Experiences often bring more joy than material possessions.
• Delayed gratification is a powerful tool for achieving long-term goals.
• Community and social connections enhance financial well-being.
• AI will play a significant role in the future of wealth management.
• Practical applications of financial wisdom are essential for real change.
• Creativity is vital for personal and professional growth.

I hope it helps!

The Soul of Wealth: 50 reflections on money and meaning

Daniel's Linkedin

Disclaimer

In this week's podcast #334 I take a look ARFs

If you google 'best ARF Fund in Ireland' today, you will get many results.

The first few are of course paid-for, sponsored adverts from firms who want your clicks (and are paying handsomely for them!). There are then quite a few other firms who have written about this 'best ARF fund in Ireland' topic.

This week I share a very short piece which shows the actual outcomes of a scenario where one invested in different funds, portfolios and companies over the past decade or more, and what we can learn from it.

And if anyone needs a reminder, an ARF is an Approved Retirement Fund. It is what happens to most of our personal pensions when we start drawing income from them, if we have not chosen an annuity pension. More on all this here if you want a refresh!

Disclaimer

In this week's episode, I explore crucial financial planning lessons for Irish families, highlighting examples where small oversights led to significant tax bills.

Discover how one family's misunderstanding of Ireland's Dwelling House Exemption resulted in an unexpected €77,000 tax liability, and how another family's mismanagement of the Small Gift Exemption cost them over €65,000.

Learn essential strategies for gifting, saving, and inheritance planning, and understand why precise adherence to tax regulations, supported by expert advice, is key to safeguarding your family's financial legacy.

• Good intentions aren't enough - strict compliance with Irish tax law is essential.

• Document and complete transactions properly - incomplete paperwork can lead to significant taxes.

• The Small Gift Exemption (€3,000 annually) must involve actual yearly transfers - accumulating gifts without documentation won't satisfy Revenue.

• Seek professional financial and legal advice early to avoid costly errors in wealth transfer and inheritance planning.

• Understand clearly defined tax exemptions like the Dwelling House Exemption - missing even one condition can result in major unexpected taxes.

Hope it helps!

Disclaimer

In episode 332 of the Informed Decisions Podcast, Paddy speaks with Glen Gaughran, Director and Head of Business Development at Independent Trustee Company (ITC). With nearly two decades of experience overseeing thousands of self-administered pension schemes, Glen offers insight into how the pension environment in Ireland is evolving and what individuals and business owners need to know. We explore the significant regulatory changes impacting Irish pensions, including the closure of executive and single-member schemes under the IORP II directive. Glen explains how the government's temporary relaxation of funding rules for PRSAs in 2023 and 2024 offered a window of opportunity; allowing employers to contribute well beyond traditional limits, and how that door has since closed in January 2025, when contributions became capped at an individual's salary level. We also compare PRSAs and Master Trusts from a planning and tax perspective, highlighting the trade-offs between contribution limits, inheritance outcomes, and drawdown flexibility. It's an essential discussion for business owners trying to optimise their pension funding while avoiding tax traps and regulatory missteps. Key Insights

• Regulatory changes have ended executive one-member schemes, pushing attention toward PRSAs and Master Trusts.
• In 2023–2024, PRSAs allowed virtually unlimited employer contributions, making them highly attractive for late-stage funding.
• As of January 2025, employer contributions to PRSAs are capped at 100% of salary, significantly reducing flexibility.
• Master Trusts still allow actuarial-based contribution limits based on salary and years of service, offering an alternative path.
• PRSAs allow the full pension value to be inherited on death, while Master Trusts may require most of the fund to be used to purchase an annuity.
• Strategic planning around salary levels, timing, and long-term drawdown goals is now essential for maximising pension efficiency.

Hope it helps.