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

No matter the size or scope of your financial goals, a financial plan can help make them a reality. Financial planning is the process of looking at the current state of your finances and making a step-by-step plan to get it where you want it to be. That may mean devising a plan to become debt-free or figuring out how to save enough money for a down payment on a new home. This process can include many aspects of personal finance, including investing, debt repayment, building s

Landlords have been warned to get up to speed and comply with radical rent reforms coming into effect from Sunday. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), which is the regulator for the sector, said the new rules will set out when rents can be re-set rents and warned landlords that enforcement action will be taken against them if they breach the rules. The changes to rental laws mainly apply to new tenancy agreements entered into from Sunday, March 1. Existing tenancies will n

Simon Harris has said he intends to take the first steps towards the introduction of a savings and investment account (SIA) in the next few weeks. Speaking at the Irish Times Business Awards the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance said the scheme “is a key priority for me over the course of the next two budgets”. “In the coming weeks, I intend to bring a strategy to Government that will set out the principles and the framework that will guide our approach,” he added. Last week,