What Is An ARF?
What is an Approved Retirement Fund? (ARF)
If you decide against the annuity options then the alternative is an ARF.
An Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) is a personal retirement fund where you can keep your money invested after retirement, as a lump sum. You can withdraw from it regularly to give yourself an income, on which you pay income tax, PRSI and Universal Social Charge (USC).
It allows you to retain ownership of your funds. An ARF is established with your current pension broker or another broker on the market if you so wish. These funds are then invested in much the same fashion as your original pension (but we recommend a conservative investment approach at this stage of your life). You then have the option of taking income from the ARF fund as and when you see fit (subject to a minimum of 4% per annum from age 60).
The obvious advantage here is deciding what income you want to take each month / year, and being able to vary the income, and also the ability to pass the unspent portion of the ARF to your next of kin in the event you pass away. The disadvantage is that you spend it to quickly and end up for example at age 80 with nothing left. To consider what is right for you visit our page Annuity or Approved Retirement fund?
Is an (ARF) / Approved Retirement Fund Right for me ?
An ARF isn't the right choice for everyone. Speak to an arf pension broker before you make a decision – they'll help you understand all the pros and cons.
If you decide an ARF is the way you want to go, you'll need to review it regularly to make sure it continues to give you the income you need throughout your retirement. Feel free to contact Joanne in our office on 01 5267770 if you have any questions.
For information, please call Joanne on 01 5267770 or 053 9110380.
Alternatively, fill in the form and we will contact you by phone or email to see if we can help.
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Testimonials
"I had a number of pensions that I was ready to drawdown but I was very confused as to how I should do this, and what I needed to do. ARF Ireland took control of the process for me and dealt with my existing pension providers to get me my tax free lump sum from the pension, and also set up my ARF & AMRF."
- DAVID, RETIRED COMPANY DIRECTOR (I.T.)
"As a conservative investor, ARF Ireland created an ARF investment portfolio for me that gives the potential for reasonable growth during periods of financial market highs but also protects me from periods of market turmoil…they have also always fulfilled their initial promise to me to review my ARF with me on a regular basis."
- CONOR, RETIRED GP
