Inheritance Tax in Ireland
When it comes to taxation, nothing is ever simple. But if you want to save money, it pays to know the basics. Here are some key pointers about inheritance tax in Ireland. Who Pays? Capital Acquisitions Tax, the official name for inheritance tax in Ireland, is paid by...
Pensions after Death
What happens to your pension after you die? What happens to your parents’ pensions when they die? What happens to your spouse or partner’s pensions? It’s a grim but very important topic. So here’s a simplified summary of what happens to pensions after death. And...
Tax on Investments
Investments in Ireland are subject to various taxation rules and regulations, some clear, some not so clear, and all of which can seem daunting at first glance. My summary below aims to inform you of the exact type of tax on investments that applies to individuals in...
A Financial Advisor’s Guide to Downsizing
Downsizing your home is a big decision that requires plenty of thought and planning. A large home and garden is wonderful for raising a family but it may not be the right place for you once the kids have flown the nest. Downsizing is often a very attractive...
The Biggest Financial Decisions of your Life
I’ve never agreed with the saying, “look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves”. My advice is to do the exact opposite – focus on the big decisions and don’t sweat the small stuff. In life we face no more than a handful of really big money...
What is Equity Release?
Home Equity Release, on the face of it, is one possible solution for homeowners short on income but living in a large valuable home. For many in this position the obvious answer is to downsize, which as I’ve written before has its pros and cons. The biggest barrier to...
UK State Pension Explainer
This explainer is aimed at people resident in Ireland who have spent time working in the UK at some point in the past. Did you know you can cheaply top up your UK State Pension? Here’s a quick Q+A. Q. Can I have both an Irish and a UK State Pension? Yes, if you...
The Fair Deal Scheme
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, known better as the Fair Deal Scheme, provides financial support to people who need long term nursing home care. There’s a lot to it so here are the key points you need to know. 1. Care Needs Assessed Before confirming that long-term...
The Best Returns on Savings
Bank and credit union savings rates have shrunk to almost zero over the last several years. So how do we get the best returns on savings and, more importantly, given this extremely low rate environment, what is the best way to save in 2022? How much to keep in the...