Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast

Is your ARF built to last? - Safe Withdrawal Strategies

04 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most ARF holders know their fund value. Most know Revenue requires a minimum annual drawdown. Very few have stopped to ask whether meeting that minimu...

€2M ARF in Ireland: What You'll Actually Keep — And How to Keep More

27 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You've built a €2 million pension. Now here's the question nobody asked you: how much of it will you actually keep? In this episode, Paddy runs th...

How Much Money Do You Need to Retire in Ireland?

20 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Paddy tackles the question he gets asked more than any other: how much do I actually need to retire in Ireland? Well, for an a...

Is One Million € Enough to Retire? - Real Income from Savings

13 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, Paddy talks about what a €1 million pension can actually generate in retirement—and why the headline number doesn't always...

Best Deposit Rates in Ireland What to Know in 2026

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, Paddy talks about why leaving your cash in a current or low-interest account is quietly costing you. Your savings could earn...

Financial Advisor Commissions in Ireland: What Are You Actually Paying?

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most people with significant pension assets have no real idea what their financial advisor earns from their money. Not because the information is ill...

The Silent Thief: What Inflation Is Doing to Your Cash Savings in Ireland

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, I welcome Aaron to the podcast before diving into a timely topic for Irish savers and investors: how inflation quietly erodes ...

Financial Independence, Property, and the Reality of Retirement with Michael Houghton

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Houghton returns to the Informed Decisions Podcast seven years after his first appearance to share how his thinking on money, work and propert...

Who Looks After Them When You Can't? Trusts & Wills with Elaine Byrne

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, Paddy is joined by specialist solicitor Elaine Byrne to demystify trusts and explain why they're one of the most powerful — ...

Do I need an Enduring Power of Attorney in Ireland?

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We can spend decades building our wealth, protecting our families, and planning for retirement. But there's one question most people avoid until it's ...

Irish Landlord Tax & Tenancy Changes 2026: Expert Guide for Property Investors

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, Paddy sits down with guest Brendan Allen to unpack the rental market right now, and it is messy. They get into why so many lan...

What The New Standard Fund Threshold Means for Your Retirement

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you're saving for retirement or nearing the end of your career, or eyeing retirement or a 'handier' role :) a significant change is on the horizon ...

Retirement Planning Ireland: Get Ready for 2026!

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you are thinking about retiring in 2026, or even easing back from full time work, this is the year where small decisions start to matter a lot. In...

Two Big Pension Changes You Need To Know About For 2026

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you have an Executive Pension/SSAS or are a member of an Occupational Pension Scheme approaching retirement, you might want to know about these big...

Investments in 2025 & 'It Takes A Village'

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the very last, and shortest, Informed Decisions Blog of 2025! We've had a very interesting investment year so far, and I want to share some...

Pre Retirement Checklist Christmas Edition

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast - Your Essential Pre-Retirement Checklist Retirement starts long before you hand back the laptop or walk out of the office for ...

Should I Invest In Dividend Stocks To Generate Income?

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast - The Income Investor's Dilemma in Ireland Many investors in their 50's and 60's want dependable and sustainable incomes from t...

Drawing Tax Efficient Income From PRSA or ARF In Your 50's

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode looks at practical ways to pull income from pensions without handing more to Revenue than you need to. You hear how rental income fits in...

Markets Are High...Should I Jump To Cash, Out Of Equities?

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is now the right time to move a chunk of your investment or pension assets out of equities, and into Bonds, Money Market Funds or Cash? It's a questio...

The Financial Freedom of Getting Kids Off The Books!

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many Irish parents in their fifties are still financially supporting adult children—and it's quietly delaying their retirement goals. Key takeaways:...

The Real Cost & Value of Financial Advice in Ireland

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You've probably wondered: what does financial advice actually cost in Ireland, and is it worth it? Indeed, many people are also probably wondering if ...

Annuity vs ARF: What's Best for a €1 Million Pension Pot in Ireland?

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're retiring in Ireland with around €1 million in pension savings, one of the biggest questions you'll face is whether to take income from an ...

How To Invest Your Pension at 50 (Make €1m extra in 10 years!?)

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I talk about investing your pension at 50. Turning 50 is a wake-up call for your pension. It's not about panic - it's about pl...

Unregulated Investments in Ireland: Fees, Lessons & What to Avoid

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I unpack the growing issue of unregulated investments in Ireland — from headline-grabbing collapses to the hidden risks faci...

Don't Be The Magpie, And Achieve Better Investment Returns

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, we dive into why so many investors underperform the very funds they invest in. Drawing on Morningstar's Mind the Gap 2025 rese...

Why Retirement Costs More Than We Think or Hope!

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Would you rather build a financial future lined with velvet cushions, or one pieced together with spud bags??   Too many households in Ireland—and ...

The Most Dangerous Day in Retirement with Dan Haylett

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, I chat with Dan Haylett, Director of TFP Financial Planning in the UK, author of The Retirement You Didn't See Coming, and hos...

Irish Pension Calculator: Do You Really Need €2M to Retire Comfortably??

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In our last podcast, we celebrated Fran's incredible achievement of amassing a €2 million pension pot through decades of disciplined saving and inve...

Build & Spend a 2m Pension Pot

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

  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 w...

Take 5%, not 4% from my ARF - with Bill Bengen (creator of the 4% rule!)

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Informed Decisions Podcast, where we bring you expert insights for Irish investors and retirees. Today, we have a rip-roaring guest joining...

Venture Capital and Private Market Investing with Rob and Scott

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Informed Decisions podcast, I chat with Rob Halligan and Scott Ashmore, co-founders of Shuttle, a platform aiming to democrati...

Understanding Your Defined Benefit Pension Scheme

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

Flashback to episode 296 - Risk of Ruin...Lifestyle & Default Investment Pension Strategies

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For the past 8 years, I've been making the case that most investors, particularly those who can tolerate volatility, should avoid Lifestyle investment...

How Big Should My Pension Be?

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 sho...

8 Years Later! The Soul of Wealth with Dr. Daniel Crosby

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 gr...

What's the best ARF Fund for my pension?

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Saving & Gifting to Kids in Ireland? Doing it Wrong Costs Thousands in Tax

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

'Your Best PRSA & Master Trust Options' - with Glenn Gaughran

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In  episode 332 of the Informed Decisions Podcast, Paddy speaks with Glen Gaughran, Director and Head of Business Development at Independent Trustee ...

Exit from Work: Redefining Retirement with Dr. Gregg Lunceford

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Informed Decisions Podcast | Episode 331 In this insightful episode, Paddy engages with Dr. Gregg Lunceford - retirement researcher, Certified Financi...

Gillen Markets GM Fund Analysis & Review

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, 330, I take a look at Gillen Markets. Gillen Markets have built a solid reputation as investment managers and advisors over th...

Markets Fall, I Hate It Too, But It's Always Temporarily!

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I talk about what's on a lot of people's minds - the markets.    As many expected, the media ran amock with the 'Liberation D...

Investing in Emerging Market Sectors with Kevin Carter EMQQ Global

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I chat with Kevin Carter, founder and CIO of EMQQ, investors in the emerging market technology sector. A really interesting con...

Why Indexing Still Wins for Long-Term Investors and Pension Holders

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Back in 2020, I wrote a piece outlining the uncomfortable truth that active fund managers find it hard to wrestle with....that most of them consisten...

Best Pension Option For Self-Employed Directors in Ireland (in 2025!)

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I talk about pension options for self-employed directors.   Over the past 3 years, the actual best pension option for self-emp...

Rental Income Tax Planning with Brendan Allen

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I chat with Brendan Allen a specialist in property tax. He is a Chartered Tax Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor, and is the...

Building Olympic Resilience with David Gillick

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's podcast, episode 324, I chat with Olympian, David Gillick about resilience and his journey and how he got through some really dark days...

US Market Warnings – And What We Can Do About It

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There is more and more commentators shouting from the roof-tops about the massive growth of North American stock values and earnings over the past f...

EIIS Investing in Ireland with Kevin Canning

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I talk with Kevin Canning, Managing Director of Quintas Capital. Kevin specialises in private markets and is the Investment Dir...

Holding Companies and Family Partnerships For Smart Tax Planning

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I chat to John Murphy a Director of OmniPro Tax and Legal Limited John is a Chartered Tax Adviser, who works with clients on in...

Jordan Grumet Interview - Longevity, Health & Happiness

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I talk to Dr. Jordan Grumet, about the topics he covers in his new book The Purpose Code. Bringing together the topics of longe...

What to Expect If Markets fall by 30% in 2025: A Retirement Asset Comparison

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Planning for, and subsequently living (!) a dignified and choice-filled retirement is the biggest financial goal many of us have, or will have. It's a...

Tax Rates for Retirees in Ireland (2025)

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, the last for 2024 I talk about Tax Rates for Retirees in Ireland (2025). We spend a lot of time planning, analysing and accumu...

Should I Stay Invested When Markets Are At All-Time Highs?

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I talk about should I stay invested when markets are at all time highs, is something many will rightly ask. And here is the da...

The 5 Benefits of Passive Index Investing in Ireland

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I talk about Index Investing in Ireland – A topic that will be of interest to all As you know at Informed Decisions, we beli...

Investing for Income Independence with Steve Selengut

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, Paddy chats with Steve Selengut, a.k.a The Income Coach about income generation strategies. An interesting and different appro...

Investment Options in Ireland & What It Says About You!

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I talk about investment options in Ireland. There are a bucket-load of investment options in Ireland. It is one of the biggest...

Protection Questions When Approaching Retirement With Nick McGowan

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I speak with Nick McGowan from Lion.ie  about protection from all angles. Particularly chatting about questions that often com...

How Much Income Will €1 Million Generate in Retirement?

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I talk about how much income will €1 million generate in retirement. Planning for retirement in Ireland involves making impo...

Property Investing Tax Considerations with Paul Molloy

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I chat with Paul Molloy from Box Clever Tax. His motto is "to help clients pay the correct and lowest amount of tax possible."...

How Much Do I Need To Retire Comfortably in Ireland? Craggy Island Style...

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you're like most people we work with, as you approach retirement , you've probably found yourself asking the question: 'How much do I need to retir...

Pension Adjustment Orders

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week I take a look at Pension Adjustment Orders.  Pension Adjustment Orders are things that none of us probably anticipate we need to know abou...

Lump Sum Investing vs Dollar Cost Averaging €1m in Ireland

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I take a look at lump sum invested vs dollar cost averages €1m in Ireland. Key topic points: Pros and cons of Lump Sum I...

Expat Taxes with Stephanie Wickham

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast we have a fantastic, informative chat with awarding winning, international expat tax advisor, KPMG chartered accountant, and ta...

Guardrails for Irish Retirees #308

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I talk about Guardrails for Irish retirees. One of the big questions I hear from clients heading into their 'next chapter' (bli...

Budget 2025 Don't Look Back In Anger #307

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week I share a short piece with you to help prepare for relevant (potential) changes in the upcoming Budget. What we'll all want to avoid is see...

The Good, The Bad, & The Bonds #306

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast we talk about what's happening with bonds and why you should care. Over the past two years, we've seen dramatic shifts in the b...

Federal Estate Tax in Ireland #305

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I cover a topic that I did a couple of years ago.  FET is still an issue that I believe awareness is still not as wide as it ...

R.O.N.A.N - Lessons I've Learned...About Life & Retirement

19 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week's podcast was a difficult one to do, and I'm still not sure if it's appropriate or not for this space, but my intent is to look for the posi...

Section 73 Investment Plans - Bear With Me. Podcast#303

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For those looking to pass on wealth while trying to simultaneously reduce tax on the proceeds, Section 73 investment plans offer a potential solution....

Get Your Taxes in Order with Alan Purcell #302

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this weeks podcast we have a interesting guest with us - Alan Purcell from Cloud Accounts in Dublin. Alan is unique as he is both a Chartered Accou...

From The Marines to Professor of Financial Planning #301

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For this week's podcast we welcome a fantastic guest, Chet Bennetts. A professor of Financial Planning with a wonderful story about how he got to wher...

Investing vs Inflation, We Are Hiring & I Interview My Kids #300

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week's podcast is the 300th Informed Decisions Personal Finance Podcast, so it is a little bit different than the usual! Key topics are: Inflati...

Section 72 Policies - Pros & Cons #299

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I take a look at Section 72 policies. What are they and what's good and bad about them? What would the outcome look like if you...

Inflation On Your Pension Assets #298

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I tackle a topic that's been heavily addressed already, inflation - but in the context of what it means for your pension asset...

Should I Invest in Bonds # 297

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I take a look at Bonds If you've got a slice of your pension or investment pie in bonds—be it individual or a fund, governmen...

Risk of Ruin...Lifestyle & Default Investment Pension Strategies #296

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I take another look at Lifestyle and Default Investment strategies for pension funds in Ireland. Something I've discussed befo...

Larry Fink & My Granny's Kitchen #295

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I talk about Larry Fink, Warren Buffet, and my granny's kitchen. Larry Fink is renowned for his role as the CEO of BlackRock, ...

The Wealth of Health #294

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, I talk about the Wealth of Health.  Something slightly off-topic this week, and something far more concise that usual. I hope...

Bitcoin ETFs & Nvidia - Lets Be Having You!? #292

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One of my favourite podcasts is The Compound & Friends featuring hosts Josh Brown and Michael Batnick of 'Ritholtz Wealth' in the US. They are irreve...

A Lesson From The UK? Scandals & Over-Charging #291

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I talk about the scandal of UK investment firm Saint James' Place. It is a monstrous financial advice and investment firm regu...

Investing in Retirement #290

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast we talk about Retirement Investment: The Case for Equity Over Bonds. Research published in October 2023 suggests a significant ...

Should I Go All-In On The S&P500? #289

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast I talk about S&P500 and if it's a good idea or not to go All-In. Should you bet all your investment or pension assets on the go...

Pension Lifestyling - A Blessing or a Curse For Retirees? #288

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pension Lifestyling in Ireland is rampant. By my reckoning, the vast majority of people with pensions are invested in insurance company pension schem...

Anne Lester Your Best Financial Life: Save Smart Now for the Future You Want #287

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast Paddy has a fantastic chat with Anne Lester.   Anne Lester is a retirement expert, author, media commentator, top-rated speak...

Simplicity is The Ultimate Complexity #286

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Something a little different, and a lot shorter this week. Far too often, when a prospective client asks me to run the rule over their financial affai...

Best Investments of 2022 and 2023 in Ireland #285

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's podcast, Paddy talks about which investments of the past few years in Ireland were the best. He will analyse two very different investm...

Retirement Planning For Business Owners in Ireland #284

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, we talk about retirement planning strategies for business owners in Ireland. Retirement marks a significant milestone in life....

Auto Enrolment Pensions In Ireland # 283

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, we talk about Auto-Enrolment Pensions. In the second half of 2024, Ireland is hoping to introduce Auto-Enrolment Pensions. Man...

Tax Pitfalls To Avoid with Christine Kearney CTA #282

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, we chat with Christine Kearney CTA from VengaPeople. Christine offers tax and business advice to people living in Ireland and ...

Gifting 2m Tax Free To Family in Ireland #281

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gifting €2m to your family tax free. At first glance, this seems impossible and/or undesirable but with smart planning it is possible to avoid all t...

20 Investment Tips For Irish Investors To Navigate #280

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I recently came across a wonderful infographic showing 20 mistakes that investors make, and which they should try to avoid. It reminded me that someti...

Severance Payments and Taxes in Ireland #279

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to leaving a PAYE job or winding-up your own company, there are various types of payments you might receive, or give yourself!   But wh...

ARF Incomes and PRSI Considerations #278

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, we talk about how taxation of ARF and your Tax works in Ireland. We will put to bed the question of how much tax you pay when ...

The Intersection Of AI and Investing with CEO Ravi Koka. Podcast #277

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we have a very interesting and unique chat with Ravi Koka, CEO and found of StockSnips. Paddy talks with Ravi about how AI is affecting our worl...

Money Market Funds - Real or Unreal #276

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Only last week I talked about Money Market Funds in Ireland and how they should and should not be used by businesses to generate some returns on thei...

Money Market Funds For Business Cash #275

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, we embark on an oceanic exploration of a topic of paramount significance to every discerning business owner, whether or not to...

Property Pensions & PRSAs with Glenn Gaughran #274

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast, we talk to Glenn Gaughran, Head of Business Development & Marketing at Independent Trustee Company (ITC), about PRSAs and Pens...

The 5 Trends In Progressive Financial Advice #273

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I was fortunate to attend FutureProof last week, the world's biggest Wealth Management and Financial Advice conference, attended by c3,000 Financial ...

Don't Jump Ship on Bonds #272

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the ever-evolving ocean of investments, where trends and fads can shift like the currents of the oceans beneath us, it's essential to keep a steady...

Johnny Sexton The (pension) Legend #271

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week I share some lessons we can learn from Johnny Sexton's reported pension planning in recent weeks! I've not even met the man (yet!) but he is...