Have You Got A Self-Administered ARF with Cash on Deposit?

Have You Got A Self-Administered ARF with Cash on Deposit? Most Business Owners with Self-Administered ARFs set them up originally to purchase property in their Approved Retirement Funds. These Property based ARFs have done quite well over the past decade but are now facing two big challenges: Many investors are now beginning to think that we are getting towards the end of the current property cycle and continued investment in property is looking less attractive You have Cash on Deposit …

Can I Take A Lump Sum From My Pension Tax Free?

Lump sum pension

You can usually take up to 25% of your pension fund as a lump sum, of which the first €200,000 is tax free and value over €200,000 is taxed at 20%. For example, if you had a pension fund valued at €600,000 then your lump sum would be 25% of €600,000 = €150,000. As the €150,000 lump sum is under the €200,000 limit this means the full €150,000 lump sum is paid tax free. If your 25% lump sum however …

I want to improve the performance of my existing Approved Retirement Fund (ARF)

Euros on pegs ARF

I want to improve the performance of my existing Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) When you originally accessed your pension you may have set up an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) using another Financial Broker or your Bank. We regularly receive contact from people who have existing ARF arrangements but are unhappy or confused about their Approved Retirement Fund. In most cases the reasons we are contacted typically relate to: There is however a solution to most of these issues: Excessive Fees? …

How Do I Protect My Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) During Periods of Stock Market Volatility?

market update approved retirement fund

When you accessed your Pension, and after you got your tax-free lump sum, you will in most cases have set up an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF). This ARF is the fund that you will draw your yearly income from in retirement.  ARF funds are essentially investment funds with some exposure to stock markets, and by extension financial market volatility. This leaves many ARF holders worried about the impact of financial market volatility on their investment and their retirement income during …

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Can I Purchase a Property with my ARF?

coins with wooden house Annuity or ARF

Can I Purchase a Property with my ARF? The simple answer is Yes – an ARF can hold or invest in property assets. This form of investment has been gaining traction over the past few years for a number of reasons: Over the long term Property is a solid investment asset and It provides an annual income A ARF Fund can invest in almost any type of asset you can reasonably invest in. For example stocks and shares, government bonds, …

Annuity or ARF – Article 2 – Best of Both!

coins with wooden house Annuity or ARF

Annuity or ARF – Article 2 – Best of Both! In our first article we started to explore the pros and cons of Annuities vs ARFs. This week we will delve into a little more detail under the following headings: Certainty of Income Flexibility Investment Risk Inheritance Value for Money 1. Certainty of Income – an annuity provides for the greatest level of certainty of income as the insurance company commits to providing a fixed level of income for life. …

Annuity or ARF – Article 1 – Which is best?

Annuity or ARF – Article 1 – Which is best? Over the next two articles I will explore the pros and cons of Annuities vs ARFs (Approved Retirement Funds) When you access your pension and after getting your lump sum you will invariably be asked to choose what you wish to do with the balance of the pension. Your options at this point are typically: Purchase an Annuity or Invest in an ARF / AMRF It can be very difficult …

How should I invest my Approved Retirement Fund?

Financial reserve approved retirement fund

Choosing a suitable ARF Fund in which to invest your retirement fund can be a daunting prospect at the best of times. Believe or not choosing an investment fund or strategy over the past decade has been quite easy as pretty much any ARF or investment fund you picked would have made some kind of positive return for you. However, we are entering a new phase in 2021 and beyond, and investment decisions will become more problematic for many reasons. …

How Do I Protect My Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) During Periods of Stock Market Volatility?

market investment financial freedom image

How Do I Protect My Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) During Periods of Stock Market Volatility? When you accessed your Pension, and after you got your tax-free lump sum, you will in most cases have set up an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF). This ARF is the fund that you will draw your yearly income from in retirement.  ARF funds are essentially investment funds with some exposure to stock markets, and by extension financial market volatility. This leaves many ARF holders worried …

Accessing My Pension – Annuity or Approved Retirement Fund?

Annuity or ARF image

Accessing your Private Pension can be a daunting experience. You will have the option of taking at least 25% of the value of your Pension fund as a tax free cash lump sum. However, there are important decisions to be make when it comes to deciding on how best to use the remaining 75% of the pension fund. It’s crucial you understand what these options are and the long term implication of your decisions. You will have the option of: …