Most people who have yet to retire think they will need close to €41,000 to fund the years when they leave work. This is the equivalent of around three-quarters of the average Irish wage. Men think they will need more to financially survive retirement, according to research commissioned by life and pensions company Royal London Ireland. They believe they will need an annual retirement income of €44,000 on average, compared with €38,000 for women. The nationwide iReach sur

Tax is always a major concern for people thinking of returning to Ireland. Our tax department are sharing some of the common questions that we are frequently asked from people who are looking to return home. Question: I have been living abroad for a number of years and am planning on returning to Ireland. I bought a property abroad and will sell the property before returning to Ireland. Will the proceeds be taxable when brought into Ireland? What about any money I have saved

Ireland tapped the bond market on Thursday, issuing €1.25bn of Government bonds that will fall due in 2036 and 2055. The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), which borrows on behalf of the State, borrowed at an initial yield – essentially the interest rate – of 3.242pc on €800m of bonds that will mature in 2036. The State will pay 3.822pc on a further €400m to be repaid in 2055. The NTMA warned this week that the cost of servicing the national debt is likely to double

Average waiting times to complete probate vary by a factor of as much as 10, from just two weeks in Limerick to 20 weeks in other parts of the country. Probate is the legal process to allow for a transfer of a person’s assets after they have died. It is a legal necessity in many cases, where the deceased had property or other assets in their name. Research by Royal London, which provides pensions and life insurance/protection products, found it can take up to 10 times lon

Ireland’s pension landscape is currently undergoing major changes in 2026. From the launch of Auto-enrolment “My Future Fund” to increases to the Standard Fund Threshold (SFT). This blog provides a complete breakdown of key pension developments in 2026 and what are still yet to come. Increase in State Pension This January 2026, the State Pension (Contributory) personal full rate increased by €10 per week, bringing it to €299.30. This change aims to help pensioners cope with t

Private trusts remain one of the most effective structures available in Ireland for protecting assets, planning succession and providing long term financial security for families. While often associated with high net worth individuals, private trusts are not solely for the wealthy. They are practical tools that can bring clarity, control and protection in a wide range of circumstances. At their core, trusts are about stewardship. They allow assets to be managed responsibly fo

The level of wealth inequality is continuing to reduce in Ireland, a new report from the Central Bank shows. The Gini coefficient, the most widely used measure of inequality, now stands at 63.3. For the eurozone as a whole, it is 72.4. The index calculates how much the distribution of wealth deviates from complete equality, which would be 0, as everyone would earn the same. The Central Bank says in its quarterly report on household wealth that the Gini coefficient for Irelan

Average weekly earnings in Ireland rose by 4.4% in the first quarter of 2026, as wage growth continued to outpace inflation across much of the economy, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office. The latest Earnings and Labour Costs data from the CSO showed average weekly earnings increased to €1,074.61 in Q1 2026, compared with €1,029.81 during the same period last year. Average hourly earnings also climbed by 4% year-on-year to €33.13, while average weekly

We have been involved in a number of estates which have involved the concept of domicile. We explore this often misunderstood concept together with the effect it can have on the administration of estates. An individual’s domicile can determine the law that applies to the administration of the estate, who may be entitled to administer the estate, and if Irish inheritance tax is payable. This can be important if the laws of other jurisdictions are particularly restrictive or dr

Almost half of adults in Ireland are unaware that their savings may be losing value in traditional deposit accounts, according to new research commissioned by Unio Wealth Management. The firm’s Savings Reality Survey found that while many households continue to prioritise saving, inflation is steadily eroding the real value of cash sitting in bank accounts, leaving many consumers at risk of falling behind financially over the long term. The findings come as Irish households h

Three groups of people will be eligible for a €2,000 grant, which will be available from next month. The payment will be made automatically to people who meet the necessary qualifications at the beginning of next month. The payment is scheduled for the first Thursday in June each year, which falls on June 4 this time. It is issued automatically to those receiving Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, and Domiciliary Care Allowance. Even if you’re not receiving one of these paym

Eight in 10 (79%) people say they do not feel prepared for retirement, according to research by Amárach Research on behalf of the Financial Planning Standards Board Ireland (FPSB Ireland), Institute of Banking (IOB), LIA and the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland (RPCI). In a survey of 1,200 employees and 500 employers across private, public and not-for-profit organisations, three-quarters (74%) of respondents said they manage their day-to-day finances well, despite the p

When a taxpayer makes a gain from the sale or transfer of their private company, there is potential for them to pay NO CGT or to pay a REDUCED RATE of CGT on their disposal. Under Irish tax legislation, provided certain conditions are met, this can be achieved by either claiming relief from CGT under: Retirement Relief (RR) or Revised Entrepreneur Relief (RER) RR can provide full relief from CGT on the taxpayer’s disposal of chargeable business assets to a third party, wher

When a parent passes away, the distribution of their estate can be a highly emotional and complex issue. Disputes over wills often highlight the delicate balance between a testator’s autonomy and their moral duty to provide for their children, leaving many to question what exactly the law provides for adult children in Ireland. This article sheds light on the inheritance rights of children under Irish law, focusing on the critical provisions of the Succession Act 1965, includ

Income protection or Permanent Health Insurance (PHI) is a vital financial product designed to provide a safety net if you become unable to work due to illness or injury. In Ireland, where many individuals rely on their income to meet daily living expenses, mortgage repayments, and other financial commitments - in particular familie - understanding the advantages and disadvantages of income protection is essential. Here John Lowe of MoneyDoctors.ie gives a comprehensive over

Proposals could sound the death knell for pension investing in property at a time when Ireland needs all the rentals it can get New pension proposals could have a detrimental impact on the supply of rental properties in this country and in turn exacerbate continuing housing problems. Property is a popular investment choice within self-administered pensions. The tax advantages of property, as well as its potential to provide a steady, long-term income stream in retirement, are

THE GOVERNMENT IS set to reduce the remission period for cancer survivors seeking mortgage protection from seven years to five years. The Irish Cancer Society described the move as a “significant step forward” which will “ensure cancer survivors can equally access mortgage protection insurance after a five-year period of remission”. It launched the ‘Right to be Forgotten after Cancer’ campaign five years ago, which called on the Government to “end the financial discrimination

For so many people in Ireland today, buying a home can feel like a long shot. High prices, limited supply and strict lending rules have pushed homeownership further out of reach, even for those in steady, full-time work. The latest figures show average house prices are rising nationally. But against that backdrop, a new mortgage option is rolling out nationwide, which aims to give borrowers some peace of mind. Stepping into the spotlight For generations, Credit Unions have be

Trusts have become increasingly popular as effective tools for protecting and managing assets in Ireland. A trust is a legal device whereby a trustee holds the legal title to property, transferred to the trust by a settlor, on trust for one or more beneficiaries. Generally, once the trust is established, the settlor loses all legal rights to the trust property. Below, we outline the principal benefits and explore the main tax points to consider when creating and operating a t

Digital tools are reshaping how Europeans access financial markets, however, the need for transparency, education and qualified advice has never been greater. For millions of Europeans, the idea of financial freedom has shifted from a distant aspiration to an urgent need. Against the backdrop of inflationary pressures, pension uncertainty, and rapid digital transformation, individuals are increasingly expected to take charge of their financial futures. Yet navigating this com