ARF Fees & Charges
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Understanding The Costs Of Your Pension
In Ireland, the fees on an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) can make a big difference to:
- How long your pension lasts
- The income you can take each week or month
- What may be left for your family in the event of your death
However, choosing the right investments and financial adviser is just as important as understanding the costs. Your ARF needs to provide long-term sustainable income, not just short-term investment returns.
ARF fees can be categorised under two headings:
- Your ARF provider/pension company
- Your financial adviser
Below, we explain the most common ARF charges in plain English.

Types Of ARF Fees Explained
1. Allocation Rate/Set Up
Fee
Ideally, you want all your money invested from the very start into your ARF. This is known as the allocation rate, and you should expect 100% of your money to be invested into your ARF. For Example:
100% allocation of €200,000 going into your ARF means all of your money is invested
98% allocation on €200,000 going into your ARF means 2% (€4,000) of your money is lost in setup fees
Note: At ARF Ireland, we offer 100% allocation, meaning every euro you invest goes into your ARF
2. Annual Management Charge (AMC)
This is the main ongoing cost of running your ARF. It is charged each year by the fund manager/insurance company. The AMC will vary, depending on:
The fund manager/insurance company
The type of fund you are invested in, for example, an equity fund, a property fund, a multi-asset fund, etc.
The value of your ARF fund, for example, you have more negotiating power with a fund valued at €500,000 than you do with a fund valued at €50,000
Note: A low annual management charge is not necessarily good value if the fund performance is poor!
3. Adviser Annual
Charge
Adviser charges are typically a small percentage of the ARF fund value. Adviser charges will typically cover the following annual services:
Annual performance investment reviews with recommended changes where needed to ensure your ARF provides you with income for as long as you need it
Keeping you informed about income tax and inheritance tax changes, and what they mean for your ARF
Note: Regular advice helps ensure your ARF can continue to provide the income you need over time
Why Talk To ARF Ireland About ARF Fees?
No upfront set-up fees
Clear and transparent explanations of all charges
Over 20 years of ARF advisory experience
We negotiate with ARF fund providers on your behalf to secure the best possible terms
We calculate your net weekly income, not just projections
Ongoing reviews to keep your ARF on track
How To Lower Your ARF Costs
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