Who We Help · Approaching Retirement (55+)
Financial Advice for People Approaching Retirement in Ireland
The decisions you make in the years around retirement are some of the most important — and hardest to reverse — of your financial life. We help people aged 55 and over in Ireland turn their pensions into a reliable income, make the most of their tax-free lump sum, invest sensibly for a long retirement, and plan with confidence.
Last reviewed by Debbie Cheevers, QFA, RPA · 30 June 2026
Who this is for
If retirement is on the horizon, the choices ahead deserve careful, expert advice. We work with:
Within ten years of retiring and wanting to know they’re on track — and what their income will actually look like.
People ready to draw benefits who need to weigh up tax-free cash, ARFs and annuities before committing.
Anyone with several old pensions from different jobs who wants them reviewed, consolidated where sensible, and simplified.
Your tax-free lump sum — one of the few decisions you can’t undo
At retirement you can normally take part of your pension as a tax-free lump sum. How much you take, and when, makes a real difference to the tax you pay.
You can’t undo this one. Taking your lump sum is one of the few retirement decisions you genuinely can’t reverse — so it’s worth getting right. We’ll model the options with you before you commit to anything.
Turning your pension into an income: ARF or annuity?
After your tax-free lump sum, the rest of your pension needs to provide an income — potentially for thirty years or more. The two main routes work very differently, and for many people the right answer is a blend.
Keeps your money invested and lets you draw a flexible income, with any balance passing to your estate — but the value can rise and fall.
Exchanges your fund for a guaranteed income for life, giving certainty — but typically without a residual fund for your family.
Often the best outcome combines both — a guaranteed base from an annuity plus an ARF for flexibility and growth.
Investing through a long retirement
Retirement isn’t the end of investing — if anything it makes it more important. With a retirement that could last decades, the goal simply shifts from building wealth to making it last.
How we make your money last
- A withdrawal rate designed to last — so you can spend with confidence rather than guesswork.
- Growth that keeps pace with living costs — a portion stays invested so your income holds its value over decades.
- Only the risk your plan needs — we dial investment risk to what’s actually required, and review it regularly as markets and your needs change.
Reviewing and consolidating old pensions
By the time retirement nears, many people have several pensions from different jobs — some forgotten, some on outdated terms, some with high charges. Bringing them into focus before you retire can make a real difference.
What we look at
- Every pension you hold, gathered in one place
- Charges compared side by side
- Valuable guarantees that are worth keeping
Last reviewed by Debbie Cheevers, QFA, RPA, 30 June 2026. Information is general and not personalised financial advice.
What you get
- A clearer picture of what you actually have
- Consolidation where it genuinely helps
- A simpler plan for the income you’ll live on
How we work with you
A relaxed, no-obligation conversation about when you want to retire and what you want retirement to look like.
We gather and review all your pensions, model your income options and stress-test how long your money will last.
A clear, whole-of-market plan for your tax-free cash, ARF/annuity mix, investment strategy and income.
We revisit your income, investments and withdrawals regularly so your plan adapts through retirement.
Frequently asked questions
When can I access my pension?
Most pensions can be accessed from age 60, and many occupational and personal arrangements allow access from 55 — sometimes earlier on retirement. The right time to draw benefits depends on your wider plan, not just your age, which is exactly what we help you work through.
How much of my pension can I take tax-free?
Under current rules the first €200,000 of retirement lump sums is tax-free, with the next band up to €500,000 taxed at the standard rate. How much you should take depends on your wider finances — and it’s a decision you can’t reverse, so it’s worth advice.
Should I choose an ARF or an annuity?
An ARF keeps your money invested with a flexible income and a fund that can pass to your estate; an annuity gives a guaranteed income for life. Many people benefit from a blend — we model both against your needs and your appetite for certainty versus flexibility.
Should I still be invested in retirement?
Usually yes. With retirements lasting decades, keeping a portion invested helps your income keep pace with inflation. The key is matching the investment risk to what your plan needs and reviewing it regularly so your money lasts.
Can you review and consolidate my old pensions?
Yes. We review pensions from previous jobs, compare charges and options, and consolidate where it makes sense — while carefully preserving any valuable guarantees older pensions may hold.
Plan your retirement with confidence
Book a free, no-obligation consultation and we’ll help you turn your pensions into a reliable income that lasts.