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 match the reality of income.

• The tax-free lump sum explained
  You can take 25%, but only the first €200,000 is fully tax-free. The rest may be taxed, reducing what you actually receive.
• ARF income isn't as high as you think
  A €750,000 ARF might generate around €30,000 per year—but after tax, that's closer to €25,000 net.
• The State Pension makes a big difference
  Adding the State Pension can bring total income to roughly €45,000+, improving monthly income significantly.
• Annuities offer certainty—but at a cost
  They provide guaranteed income for life, but you give up control, flexibility, and access to your capital.
• You can take more—but it comes at a price
  Higher withdrawals from an ARF are possible, but they increase your tax bill and may reduce long-term sustainability.
• A mix of ARF and annuity may work best
  Combining both can give you a balance of guaranteed income and flexibility.
• Couples have a clear advantage
  With two State Pensions and wider tax bands, married couples can generate significantly higher net income.
• What matters isn't the €1 million
  It's the income it produces—and whether that income supports the life you want.

What's realistic, what's sustainable, and what €1 million actually means in retirement. Enjoy listening!

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 more
  Demand deposit accounts now offer around 2% and fixed-term options near 3%, so idle cash loses ground to inflation.
• Use the right tools
  The CCPC comparison tool helps Irish savers easily compare domestic and international deposit accounts.
• Rates vary widely
  Foreign platforms often offer better rates than Irish banks, but terms matter—don't just chase the headline numbers.
• Tax makes a difference
  DIRT takes 33% of your interest, so tax-free options like State Savings and some government bonds can be surprisingly competitive.
• Read the fine print
  Platforms like Raisin show strong rates, but the advertised "3%" often comes with conditions. Actual easy-access rates are closer to 2%.

What's realistic, what's competitive, and how to make your cash work harder for you.

Hope it helps.

Most people with significant pension assets have no real idea what their financial advisor earns from their money. Not because the information is illegal to share — it isn't — but because the system is designed in a way that makes it genuinely difficult to see.

In this episode, Paddy looks at how commission structures work in Irish financial advice, why the difference between a percentage and a euro figure matters enormously, and what a truly transparent client-advisor relationship should actually look like.

Key points covered:

• How initial and trail commissions work on Irish ARFs, pensions and investment products — and what those percentages look like when converted into real euro figures
• Why the structure of commission-based advice creates a conflict of interest that isn't malicious, but is very real
• The difference between a suitability standard and a fiduciary duty — and why that distinction could be worth a significant amount of money to you
• A real client story: a couple who were being advised to keep working and keep contributing, when in fact they already had enough to retire comfortably
• What good transparency would actually look like — and the three questions every investor should be asking their advisor right now

I hope it helps.

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 cash savings over time.

I look at why holding too much cash can damage long term purchasing power, why fear often keeps people on the sidelines, and why a diversified, low cost investment approach has historically offered a stronger path for long term wealth.

Key points:
• Inflation reduces the real value of cash, even when your account balance stays the same
• Too much money on deposit can weaken long term wealth and legacy outcomes
• A diversified global portfolio has historically rewarded patient investors despite short term volatility

I hope it helps.

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 — and underused — tools in Irish estate planning.

From discretionary trusts for young children to protecting a family member with additional needs, Elaine covers the types of trusts, the tax implications, how to update your will, and what it actually costs to get it done right. If you've been putting off your will or wondering whether a trust is relevant to your family — this one's for you.

I hope it helps.

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 too late: what happens if you can't make decisions for yourself?

In this week's podcast I look at Enduring Power of Attorney.

I hope it helps

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 landlords feel stuck between shifting government rules and real world supply shortages, and how that tension can push rents higher even when the aim is tenant security. Brendan also breaks down the practical business case for staying invested long term, why commercial property can suit some investors better than residential, and what you need to check before you jump in. If you have ever thought, surely it cannot be this complicated, bad news: it can. Good news: you can still make smart calls if you do the work.

Key talking points
• Why landlord confusion is rising as regulations change and market rent keeps moving
• Supply shortages as the core issue, especially outside big cities, and how that affects rents
• Commercial vs residential property: returns, maintenance, and what type of investor each suits