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Financial Planning and Guidance. Want to explore all the options under one roof? Financial Mate Ltd T/A Plan Review is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

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Mortgages – Investments – Protection – Pensions – Savings – Deposits and more

Our promise – Free consultation with no pressure, no bias – just clear concise impartial advise. As a Financial Broker I use my expertise on financial planning matters and will work on your behalf giving you a choice of products and providers from across the market. Our service continues after business with free reports and we encourage clients to contact us on all personal financial affairs. Providing long-term guidance:

Research * shows that people with long-term financial advisers typically have higher savings and assets than those who do it themselves, irrespective of income, starting net assets and other factors. A Financial Broker is the perfect fit for such a long-term adviser and can help you to stay on course with your financial planning through all of life’s (and the market’s) ups and downs.

* KPMG Econtech report – Value Proposition of Financial Advisory Networks October 2009

14/10/2026

Your Business Is Your Biggest Asset – But Is It Your Retirement Plan?

For many business owners, their company represents years, sometimes decades or a lifetime, of hard work.

It can also represent a significant proportion of their personal wealth.

That makes it understandable that when retirement comes up in conversation, the answer is sometimes along the lines of: “The business is my pension.”

But there's an important difference between owning a successful business and having a retirement plan.

What happens when you want to step away?

Perhaps you expect to sell the business. Maybe another family member will take over, or an existing management team will buy you out.

All of those are possibilities. But businesses, markets and personal circumstances can change considerably over time. The value you hope to realise from a business in ten years' time isn't guaranteed today.

That's why it can be useful to think about retirement independently of the business itself.

Do you have pension provision outside the value of the company? Have you accumulated other personal assets and investments? And, most importantly, do you have an idea of how much income you might actually need when you stop working?

Start thinking about the exit before you need it.

Succession and exit planning aren't just considerations for someone who intends to retire next year.

There can be tax, pension, ownership and family considerations involved, which means having time on your side can be valuable.
There are also specific tax provisions relevant to business owners. For example, Revised Entrepreneur Relief can provide a 10% Capital Gains Tax rate on qualifying business gains. For qualifying disposals made from 1 January 2026, the lifetime limit on gains to which the relief can apply increased from €1 million to €1.5 million. As always, conditions apply.

The point isn't that every business owner should be planning to sell. It's that knowing your options well in advance can make a considerable difference.

Your business and your personal finances are connected.

Running a business naturally takes priority. There is always another customer, employee, deadline or problem requiring attention. That can make it very easy to spend years planning for the future of the company without spending the same amount of time planning for your own future.

If you're a business owner, it may be worth asking yourself a simple question: If I didn't own this business, would I be happy with my retirement planning?

Why not arrange a review meeting with us and we can help you look at your personal financial arrangements alongside your longer-term plans for the business.
Kevin O'Neill

09/10/2026

Financial Myth of the Quarter -
“I'm Covered Through Work, So I'm Fine”

Many employers provide valuable benefits in addition to salary.

Depending on where you work, these might include death-in-service benefit, sick pay, income protection, health insurance or other forms of financial protection.

So if someone asks whether you have protection in place, it's tempting to say: “Yes – I'm covered through work.”
And you may well be. But do you know exactly what you're covered for?

Start with the numbers

Take the death-in-service benefit as an example.
You might remember being told that your employer provides a multiple of your salary if you die while employed. But when did you last check the amount? While your mortgage protection may take care of the outstanding mortgage in the event of death, would the other benefits you have in place provide enough financial support for your family and help replace the income they would otherwise have relied upon?

The same applies if you become unable to work.

Your employer may provide sick pay for a period of time, but what happens after that? Some employers provide longer-term income protection, while others don't.

Rather than assuming you're covered, it's worth finding out exactly what benefits are available to you.

And what happens if you leave?

There's another important point about workplace benefits: they're generally connected to your employment.

Changing jobs can therefore mean changing benefits.
A new employer might offer more generous protection, less generous protection or something completely different. That's particularly worth remembering when weighing up a new job offer. The salary isn't the only part of a remuneration package that has a financial value.

It can also become particularly relevant if you decide to become self-employed or start your own business.

Think about your own circumstances

Two colleagues earning the same salary and receiving exactly the same workplace benefits can have very different protection needs.
One might be single with few financial commitments. The other might have a mortgage (or mortgages), young children and a household heavily dependent on their income.

That's why workplace benefits are best considered in the context of your overall circumstances rather than in isolation.

And remember, the conclusion doesn't necessarily have to be that you need more cover. You may discover that the benefits available through your employer are very comprehensive.

The important thing is knowing.

If you're unsure what protection benefits you currently have, either personally or through work, help is here for you to review your existing arrangements and identify whether there are any gaps worth considering.

Kevin O'Neill

28/09/2026

How Long Could You Afford To Be Off Work - None of us know what's around the corner, but we should prepare for it..

Most of us insure the things we own. Our homes, our cars and even our mobile phones are often protected against the unexpected. But what about the thing that pays for them all?

For most people, their ability to earn an income is their greatest financial asset, yet it's often one of the least protected. It's not a subject many of us like to think about, but illness or injury can happen at any stage of life. While some people are fortunate enough to receive generous sick pay from their employer, many find that their income reduces significantly after just a few weeks or months away from work.

Have You Ever Done the Maths?

Imagine you were unable to work for six months. Would your employer continue to pay your salary? If not, how would you cover:

Your mortgage or rent?
Household bills?
Loan repayments?
Childcare or education costs?
Everyday living expenses?
Many people are surprised at how quickly their monthly commitments add up when they take a moment to calculate them.

What Support Is Available?

Ireland has a range of State supports for people who are unable to work due to illness, subject to eligibility criteria. For some households, these payments provide valuable assistance.

However, they may not replace the level of income many people rely on to maintain their current lifestyle and meet ongoing financial commitments.

That's why it's worth understanding not only what support may be available, but also whether it would be sufficient for your own circumstances.

Every Situation Is Different

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Some employers provide comprehensive sick pay benefits, while others offer only limited cover. Some people have substantial savings to fall back on, while others rely almost entirely on their monthly income.

Your stage of life also plays a part. A young professional renting an apartment is likely to have different financial responsibilities than someone supporting a family or approaching retirement.

Taking time to understand your own position can help you plan with greater confidence.

Things to Think About

Ask yourself:

How long would my employer continue to pay my salary if I couldn't work?
Do I know what State supports I may be entitled to?
How long could my savings cover my regular monthly expenses?
Have my financial commitments changed since I last reviewed my protection arrangements?
These aren't questions that require immediate action, but they are worth considering before they're ever needed.

Financial planning isn't only about preparing for retirement or growing your savings. It's also about considering how you and your family would cope if life didn't go entirely to plan.

If it's been some time since you reviewed your protection arrangements, or if you've never looked at them in detail, we'd be happy to talk through your current position. A review isn't about making unnecessary changes; it's simply an opportunity to understand your options and decide whether your existing arrangements still meet your needs.

21/09/2026

Call us to check that your pension arrangements are suitable for both your current budget and your future plans...

Just two in five people are sure of good standard of living in retirement, watchdog research shows.

The number of people with private pensions has risen significantly over the past year, but less than half believe they will be able to afford a good standard of living in retirement, new research from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) suggests.

A report published today reveals that pension ownership has risen by 17 per cent since 2025, with the jump coming in the wake of the introduction of the Government’s MyFutureFund auto-enrolment scheme earlier this year.

However, confidence in retirement outcomes remains low, with just two in five sure their pension will provide a good standard of living in retirement. Only one in three are optimistic that their pension savings will be able to keep pace with inflation.

The research also highlights a significant gender gap in how men and women prepare for and think about retirement.

All told, 24 per cent of women have no retirement arrangements in place, compared with 17 per cent of men. Meanwhile, fewer women than men said they understand pensions. A total of 49 per cent of women told researchers they had an understanding of pensions, compared to 63 per cent of men.

Women are also more downbeat about their future prospects, with 32 per cent lacking confidence in the standard of living they will have in retirement compared to 23 per cent of men.

“Our research shows that consumers avoid reviewing their pension statements and too often are not confident that their pension will allow a good standard of living in retirement,” said the CCPC’s director of financial education and Ireland’s first financial literacy ambassador, Gráinne Griffin. “We are encouraging consumers, particularly women, to review their pension, and remind them that they don’t need to do it alone.”

She acknowledged that pension statements can be long, complicated and hard to understand and noted that it can be “very easy to just avoid them”.

However, she stressed that consumers do not need to “become an expert”, and can instead “book a short review with a financial planner or a financial adviser to check that your pension arrangements are suitable for both your current budget and your future hopes and dreams”.

The study shows that as has been the case in previous years, almost two-thirds of consumers have never had a one-to-one conversation with a financial adviser about retirement, and among those who did seek advice, just under one-third did so through their employer.
The research also highlights a low level of understanding of pension fees and charges among private pension-holders, with one-quarter reporting limited knowledge and 6 per cent unaware there were any charges associated with their pension at all.

“Employers also play a powerful role in their employees’ financial wellbeing,” Griffin said. “For those consumers who have sat down with a financial adviser and discussed their retirement plans, our research shows that they’re most likely to have been connected to that financial adviser by their employer. Also, employers that offer to match higher pension contributions

The chief executive of the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA), Dermot Griffin, welcomed the jump in numbers of those with a private pension. “This is great news for workers in Ireland and reflects the positive impact since the introduction of MyFutureFund in January 2026,” he said.

15/09/2026

Five benefits of maximising your pension contributions

Immediate tax relief

When you make voluntary contributions to your pension fund, you benefit from immediate tax relief. If you are a higher-rate taxpayer, you can claim back up to 40% in income tax relief for every euro you contribute to your pension fund. Typically, your employer will deduct contributions directly from your salary and contribute them into your pension, ensuring you receive your income tax relief.

Tax-free growth

One of the key advantages of contributing to a pension fund is that any investment returns or capital gains earned within your pension are not subject to tax. Over time, this tax-free growth can substantially boost your retirement savings. However, it’s important to understand that, aside from the tax-free lump sum, any funds you withdraw upon retirement will be liable to income tax and Universal Social Charge deductions.

Addressing pension gaps

Maximising your contributions can help close potential pension gaps that may arise due to interruptions in your working life or changes in employment. This ensures that you maintain a steady growth in your pension fund.

Building your tax-free lump sum

When you retire, you can take a portion of your pension as a tax-free lump sum. As of 2026, you can take up to 25% of your retirement value as a tax-free lump sum, up to €200,000. This means that to take the full €200,000 tax-free, your pension fund would need to be worth €800,000.

Enhanced retirement income

The more you have saved in your pension fund, the more financial security you will enjoy during retirement. A well-funded pension plan allows you to maintain your lifestyle, cover essential expenses, and pursue your post-retirement goals without financial stress. This financial cushion can provide peace of mind, knowing that you have the resources to support yourself and potentially even leave a legacy for your loved ones.
What’s the maximum amount you can personally contribute to your pension for tax relief purposes? Give us a call to find out!!

09/09/2026

Only one in five people expect to retire fully - survey on RTE - call us to see how we can help with your retirement plan..

Just one in five adults expect to fully retire and stop working in the traditional manner, according to new research from Irish Life.

The Life100+ Report is based on nationally representative research among more than 2,000 adults and examines how the prospect of significantly longer lives will change working life, retirement planning, health and family finances.

The survey found that there is a broad acceptance that longer lives will mean longer working lives, with around three quarters of respondents believing they will need to work for longer to support themselves in later life.

According to the study, 27% of respondents expect to gradually reduce their working hours, while just under a quarter expect to continue working part-time.

Among those aged 65 and over, the preference for a phased retirement is stronger again.

Adults yet to retire estimate they will need an average pension pot of €315,000 for a comfortable retirement, against average current retirement savings of €102,000.

Almost one in three adults said they feel confident they can financially sustain a longer life.

A quarter of those surveyed said they would definitely want to live to 100, with concerns focused on failing health, loss of physical abilities and loss of mental abilities, well ahead of concerns about running out of money.

"Ireland is moving from a society built around an 80-year life to one that must begin to plan for a 100-year life, and our Life100+ Report provides the clearest evidence yet that longevity is reshaping how people in Ireland intend to work, save and live," said Declan Bolger, chief executive of Irish Life.

"Expectations have already moved ahead of the structures around them," Mr Bolger said.

"People have accepted longer working lives and a later, more gradual retirement, but confidence in funding those additional years is low, particularly amongst those closest to retirement," he added.

Two categories of workers who will look to work past 65 - ICTU
The social policy officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Dr Laura Bambrick, said there are two categories of worker who will look at working past the age of 65: those who want to keep working, and those who have to keep working for financial reasons, including topping up their pension.

She said that compared to previous generations, the average household with a 65-year-old needs more income than they did before.

"We're already seeing a strong growth in the number of workers over 65 already continuing in employment. Those workers who want to remain in the workplace are healthier than we have [had] in previous generations. We're doing lighter work, and we like our jobs.

"And then there's the second group of workers who need to keep working. We're staying in education longer, so we're entering work later. We're having our children later. We're getting our mortgages later and for longer."

Dr Bambrick explained that this latter category has less time to build up their pension and this can be particularly true for women who can have more fractured working lives by being more likely to have to take time out to have children or care for older relatives.

01/09/2026

As the academic year begins....Planning Ahead - Saving for Your Children's Education

For many parents in Ireland, funding their children’s education is one of the most significant financial commitments they’ll ever face. Yet, it’s also one that can easily sneak up on you. The earlier you start planning, the easier it is to manage the costs, and to ensure your children have the opportunities they deserve, without undue financial stress.

The Real Cost of Education
Education in Ireland is often described as “free,” but the reality can be quite different. Between books, uniforms, fees, accommodation, and day-to-day expenses, the bills quickly add up.

At secondary school level, parents typically spend around €2,900 per year on costs such as books, uniforms, extracurricular activities, voluntary contributions, transport, lunches, and grinds. This is significantly higher than some traditional estimates, with total costs over six years potentially reaching about €17,500 per child. These costs include grinds (~€825), lunches (~€429), and transport (~€237), all major contributors to the total annual expense.

However, the real financial challenge often begins with third-level education.
According to recent studies:
• A student living at home costs an average of approximately €6,100 per year.
• A student living away from home can cost between €14,000 and €14,500 per year, depending heavily on accommodation and location.

For a four-year degree, this means you could be facing total costs of roughly €24,500 to €58,000 per child and that’s before factoring in inflation or potential postgraduate study.
Government grants and scholarship programs are available and can help reduce costs, so it’s worth exploring these options as part of your planning.

Why Starting Early Matters
Being proactive is the key. Starting a savings plan early allows you to spread the cost over time and take advantage of compound growth. In other words, your money earns a return, and then your returns start earning returns.

Leaving it too late often means having to draw on income or borrow at a time when other financial pressures, such as mortgage payments or retirement planning, are already in play.
The message is simple: a small, regular contribution today can make a big difference tomorrow.

The Limitations of Traditional Savings Accounts
While it’s always wise to have some funds set aside in an accessible savings account, relying solely on traditional deposits is rarely the most effective way to grow education savings.
Interest rates on deposits remain low, and when inflation (currently about 2.2% annually for education costs) is taken into account, the real return can be negligible or even negative.

Let’s look at an example:
If you save €250 per month for 15 years, you’ll contribute a total of €45,000.
• At an average 2% annual return, your savings could grow to around €52,000.
• At an average 4% annual return, your fund could reach roughly €61,000.

That’s a difference of €9,000, achieved simply through a higher long-term growth rate and 4% is not something typically achievable at present through standard bank deposits.

A Smarter Way to Save – Regular Savings Plans
A Regular Savings Plan with a leading life company offers a flexible and effective alternative. These plans allow you to invest a regular monthly amount (often as low as €100) into a range of professionally managed investment funds tailored to your timeframe, goals, and attitude to risk.

You can increase or decrease contributions as circumstances change, and access a wide selection of funds from cautious, low-risk options to more growth-oriented investments.
Over time, this approach allows your savings to work harder, with the potential for higher long-term returns compared to deposit-based saving.

Crucially, you retain flexibility: you can pause contributions, make lump-sum top-ups (note minimum lump sums may apply), or adjust the plan as your needs evolve.

The Importance of Regular Reviews
Once your plan is in place, it’s important not to set it and forget it. Regular reviews ensure your savings remain on track, reflect changes in your circumstances, and take account of market conditions or new opportunities.
We recommend reviewing your plan at least once a year to make sure it continues to meet your objectives.

Professional Guidance Makes the Difference
When it comes to investing for something as important as your child’s education, good financial advice matters. As an independent broker, we work with all the leading providers, ensuring that your plan is not only competitive, but also aligned with your personal goals and comfort with risk.

We’ll help you understand your options, structure a plan that fits your budget, and keep it under regular review as your family’s needs evolve.

In Summary
The cost of education is significant but entirely manageable with the right planning. By starting early, choosing the right savings vehicle, and reviewing it regularly, you can turn what might otherwise be a financial shock into a well-prepared milestone.
If you’d like to discuss how to put an education savings plan in place or review your current arrangements, we’d be delighted to help you get started.

Kevin O’Neill
Warning: The value of your investment may go down as well as up.

24/08/2026

Really good article from our colleagues in Zurich..
Retirement isn’t a number - it’s a plan

Retirement isn’t as simple as calculating 'the magic number'. It's shaped by:
• Personal goals
• Family priorities
• Health and lifestyle
• Market conditions
• Life expectancy
• Your appetite for risk

Retirement is often described as a milestone but it’s a full financial journey. Retirement today lasts 20+ years on average, involves navigating multiple risks, and demands far more than a simple “how much do I need?” calculation.

Every person’s situation is different, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work. Here’s what really shapes retirement outcomes, and why good financial planning matters.

1. Lifestyle choices and 'bucket list' goals

Today’s retirees are more active and live longer. Many have big plans for their early retirement years - from travel to new hobbies to helping children or grandchildren.
These goals impact:
• How much income you need
• How long your pension pot must last
• How you should invest leading up to, and throughout, retirement
With many over-55s holding a significant portion of Ireland’s household wealth*, it becomes even more important to make those assets work effectively. That can be through investing in multi-asset funds like the Prisma range from Zurich, choosing a risk level that suits your needs through the Personalised GuidePath strategy, or maintaining a balanced mix of assets in retirement that can support both day-to-day spending and long-term financial security.

2. Legacy and inheritance planning

Legacy planning is a crucial part of retirement - not just for passing on wealth, but for ensuring clarity, minimising stress for loved ones, and doing so in a tax efficient manner.
At a minimum, every individual should have a professionally drafted Will, reviewed after major life events. Beyond that, there are several practical steps that help shape a thoughtful, efficient legacy plan.
Many people use Small Gift Exemption strategies to pass on €3,000 a year tax-free to children or grandchildren, while Zurich’s Child Savings Plans offer a structured way to build long-term value for younger family members. When a larger estate is involved, Section 72 policies can be used to cover inheritance tax, ensuring beneficiaries mitigate the possibility of an unexpected tax bill.
Business owners can use pensions as part of their future exit strategy and can protect their business from their unexpected loss using corporate succession solutions, such as keyperson and co-director insurance to help ensure business continuity and provide liquidity for buyouts or inheritance needs.
While these decisions are deeply personal, the right combination of tools; a Will, efficient gifting strategies, appropriate policies, and simple investment structures – can ensure your legacy passes smoothly, tax-efficiently, and exactly as intended.

3. Income needs change throughout retirement

Retirement isn’t one long, predictable expense pattern. It evolves - in early retirement, spending typically rises as people travel more, upgrade their lifestyle, or complete major projects. Day-to-day spending usually stabilises as routines settle. In later years, healthcare, support services, and medical costs often increase. Because your needs change over time, your income strategy should change too.

A strong retirement plan includes:
• Flexible drawdown: in years where markets are volatile, you can choose to withdraw income from your lower-risk funds, giving your higher growth funds time to recover instead of selling them at a bad time.

• Taking advantage of strong markets: when equity or multi-asset asset funds perform well, you can draw more income from those funds, naturally trimming gains while keeping other assets untouched.

• Maintaining your target risk level: combining flexible withdrawals with your Approved Retirement Fund (ARF)’s rebalancing feature keeps your investments aligned to your goals.

• A well-managed, flexible income plan can help you make the most of your early years, support greater stability in your middle years, and may better prepare you to meet rising costs in the future.

4. Reserve strategies

A rainy-day fund is essential, even in retirement, because unexpected costs don’t stop once you leave the workforce. Home repairs, medical bills, helping children through financial pressures, or even short-term market downturns can all require immediate access to cash. Without readily available liquidity, retirees may be forced to withdraw from their ARF at the wrong time, potentially locking in losses and worsening sequencing risk.

One of the most important, but least understood, retirement risks is sequencing risk. Two investors with the same average annual return can end up with dramatically different outcomes depending on when market losses occur. Early losses in retirement can significantly shorten how long savings last.

A practical approach is to maintain one to two years of planned income in low-risk or cash-based funds, while keeping longer-term assets invested for growth. This structure ensures there’s always a pool of stable assets to draw from when life happens, without disrupting the long-term investment strategy that underpins retirement income.

5. Longevity risk: a 20+ year retirement

As people live longer, longevity risk has become a major factor in retirement planning. A retirement that lasts 25–30 years means your savings must stretch further, so it’s important to consider whether your fund growth can sustainably support your drawdowns over time.
Multi-asset funds such as the Prisma range, combined with strategies such as Personalised GuidePath and ARF Rebalancing or maintaining a short-term cash reserve, can help keep your portfolio aligned with your goals.
Longer retirements also make inflation more impactful, so choosing investments with built-in indexation or inflation-linked growth potential becomes essential. And because medical and care costs typically rise in later life, it’s worth reviewing your Health Insurance cover and setting aside funds for future health needs or using part of your tax-free lump sum to future-proof your home.
Longevity risk isn’t just about living longer - it’s about ensuring your finances can sustain the lifestyle and security you want for as long as you need them.

6. Medical expenses and health-related shocks

Medical needs in retirement can vary widely, and the financial impact can be significant. Long-term care costs, ongoing medical treatments, and sudden health events can reshape a retirement plan overnight. Rising healthcare concerns mean retirees need protective buffers built into their financial strategy - not only to cover immediate expenses, but also to safeguard long-term income sustainability.
A sensible approach is to maintain a dedicated healthcare contingency fund within your ARF or savings, alongside broader emergency reserves.
Layering in guaranteed income: in mid-to-later retirement, you can choose to convert part of your Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) into an annuity to lock in a guaranteed income for life - reducing pressure on your remaining investment portfolio.
It’s also worth reviewing your protection cover: Serious Illness or Cancer Cover can provide a lump sum that helps manage the financial shock of a diagnosis, while those still working should ensure their Income Protection remains in place up to retirement age to protect their earning power before they retire.

Retirees may also choose to use part of their tax-free lump sum to fund health-related home adaptations or private healthcare needs.
Retirement planning is not just having a pension or choosing between an ARF or annuity - it’s a tailored, ongoing advice journey.
With the right structure, tools and advice - from funding to decumulation to legacy you can build a retirement that is personal and can support your financial future.

Retirement isn’t just about numbers - it’s having reassurance, clarity and confidence. Whether you’re early in your career or fast approaching retirement, now is the right time to reflect, plan, and take control of your financial future.

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