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This investment overview will help you and your financial advisor to properly assess your tolerance to risk. 3 Easy steps Some things in life can make you feel uncomfortable. However, investing your hard-earned money shouldn’t be one of them. That’s why we want to help you get comfortable investing - starting with 3 easy steps. STEP 1 – Get your investor profile Find out what type of investor you are by doing our investor profile, some straight-forward questions. These help us to assess things like your attitude to investing and the types of investments you’re more comfortable with. By doing our investor profile, you’ll know what type of investor you are or if investing just isn’t for you. STEP 2 – Match funds that suit your profile This step matches your investor profile to the fund that could suit you best. Each fund has been developed to suit the needs of different types of investor profiles. Each of the responses are given a score and the scores are collated to give you an overall risk rating. The profile includes some checks to ensure the answers you have provided are consistent. STEP 3 – Discuss the rate of returns Once your attitude to risk has been assessed you then need to decide on an investment solution which suits your level of risk, now we can show you the expected range of returns for that fund over different time periods, so, you can see that investments can fall as well as rise but you also know what range of returns you could expect. Warning: The value of your investment may go down as well as up. Warning: If you invest in these funds, you may lose some or all of the money you invest. Warning: These funds may be affected by changes in currency exchange rates. Reach out today Contact us today alternatively book your consultation https://www.quigley.ie/book-consultation and see how Quigley Financial Brokers can help you choose the best options available or contact richard@quigley.ie for further information.

Did you know? You can gift up to €3,000 tax free in any one year to your child, grandchild or anyone else, or even multiple persons and this gift will not impact on the recipient’s appropriate group tax free threshold for CAT purposes. How can they you do this? The key here is that the recipient/beneficiary must get ownership of the money and the person gifting the money loses control of it, therefore how the plan is set up will depend on how old the recipient is. Our client experiences We recently received an enquiry from a client to arrange five savings plans for grandchildren to avail of the Annual Gift Exemption. You may receive a gift up to the value of €3,000 from any person in a calendar year without having to pay Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT). This means that you make take a gift from several people in the same calendar year and the first €3,000 from each disponer is exempt from CAT. Gifts within this limit are not considered in computing tax and are not included for aggregation purposes. This small gift exemption applies only to gifts and not to inheritances. Quigley Financial Brokers arranged the policies with a AAA rated company. The example included is for guidance purposes only and is not based on any real individual circumstances and should not be constituted as advice in any particular instance. Reach out today Contact us today alternatively book your consultation https://www.quigley.ie/book-consultation and see how Quigley Financial Brokers can help you choose the best options available or contact richard@quigley.ie for further information.

Relief is given in Section 72 of Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) Consolidation Act 2003 to allow people to plan for the payment of inheritance tax (Section 72) in a tax efficient way. If a life assurance protection plan is put in place to provide for the ‘relevant’ tax, Revenue will not charge Capital Acquisitions Tax on the plan proceeds if the money is actually used to pay inheritance tax. What is the benefit of your client taking out a Section 72 protection plan? The benefit of using a ‘qualifying’ life assurance plan to fund for the payment of inheritance tax is that, as long as certain conditions are met, the proceeds of the plan when used to pay inheritance tax, will not increase the beneficiaries inheritance tax liability. Whereas, if the money was left in a bank account, for example, this money will be seen by Revenue as an additional inheritance and will increase the tax bill. How the Section 72 relief from inheritance tax works in practice is shown below Mick and Liz are married. Their estate is valued at €1,000,000 and will be inherited by their only child, their daughter Michelle. Total inheritance €1,000,000 Tax free threshold €335,000 (assuming no previous gifts/inheritances received) Taxable inheritance €665,000 Taxable at 33% €219,450 or nearly 22% of inheritance taken in tax Therefore, when Mick and Liz die, their daughter Michelle will lose up to 22% of the estate as she will have to pay €219,450 in inheritance tax. To fund for this, Mick and Liz could affect a (Section 72) life assurance protection plan, which would pay out €219,450 when they die. This amount will be tax free if used to clear Michelle’s inheritance tax bill. We advise that you seek professional tax advice as the information given is a guideline only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Reach out today Contact us today alternatively book your consultation https://www.quigley.ie/book-consultation and see how Quigley Financial Brokers can help you choose the best options available or contact richard@quigley.ie for further information.

Did you know... Your children can only inherit €335,000* from you tax free. Anything in excess of this, per child, is taxable at 33%. Leaving assets to your children may result in them having to pay Inheritance Tax. Source: Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003 (as updated). *Group 1 Threshold available from 9th October 2019 Is this something you need to consider? Example Mr. and Mrs. Foley have an estate valued at €4,000,000. They have three children (two sons and a daughter). They plan on leaving the family home to their daughter. Their sons will inherit the remainder of the estate equally. Family Assets as follows: Family Home €2,000,000 Apartment €600,000 Life Cover €500,000 Savings €400,000 Pensions €500,000 Each Sons Tax Liability Inheritance €1,000,000 Tax Free Threshold €335,000 Taxable inheritance €665,000 Inheritance Tax @ 33% €219,450 Daughter’s Tax Liability Inheritance €2,000,000 Tax Free Threshold €335,000 Taxable inheritance €1,665,000 Inheritance Tax @ 33% €549,450 Total inheritance tax bill of €988,350 or almost 25% of estate taken in tax. The example included is for guidance purposes only and is not based on any real individual circumstances and should not be constituted as advice in any particular instance. Reach out today Contact us today alternatively book your consultation https://www.quigley.ie/book-consultation and see how Quigley Financial Brokers can help you choose the best options available or contact richard@quigley.ie for further information.

Pension funding opportunity [Continued] At the beginning of January 2023, a small wording change to pensions legislation resulted in a significant opportunity for company directors and business owners to fund larger pension pots than before. Since January 2023, an employer contribution to a Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) for an employee, is no longer taxable as a Benefit-In-Kind (BIK) for that employee. In essence, this change now allows an employer to contribute to a PRSA with no upper limit on employer contributions. In fact, the only limit is the lifetime Pension Fund limit which is currently €2,000,000. This rule change will be of significant interest for business owners and directors, as it means that they can now move profits from their business into a PRSA for themselves, for employed family members, and for employees. Let’s briefly explore some of the new PRSA opportunities 3. An Investment Company Profile: Alice holds a number of rental properties within a holding company. She draws a salary from the business. Current Pension arrangement As a 20% Director of an Investment Company, Alice is excluded from taking out an Executive Pension. The new PRSA opportunity No such restriction has been made in respect of PRSAs, so an investment company could contribute to a PRSA for the benefit of a 20% director that is employed by that company. It’s important to note that Alice must be drawing a salary which is taxable under PAYE in order to access the PRSA route. 4. Company Directors who have already accessed an Executive Pension Profile: Justin funded an Executive Pension and accessed it last year under the Normal Retirement rules. He still works in and owns his own business. Current Pension arrangement Justin funded an Executive Pension for €1,000,000 and took his benefits at maximum retirement age (70) last year. The new PRSA opportunity As Justin still works in the business, he can now invest up to another €1,000,000 in a PRSA policy. 5. Self Employed business owner with Spouse employed in the business Profile: Gerry is a self-employed Accountant and can only save into a pension based on his personal income which will be limited by the age-related personal limits and the Earnings Cap. However, Gerry’s spouse Emma is an employee in the Accountancy practice. As Gerry is her employer, he wants to provide a pension arrangement for her benefit. Current Pension arrangement Gerry as the employer set up an Executive pension for Emma. Both Gerry (as Emma’s employer) and Emma (as employee) contribute. The employer’s ability to fund is limited by Revenue’s funding limits for Executive Pensions. The new PRSA opportunity As Emma is Gerry’s employee, Gerry as the employer could fund a PRSA on her behalf with potentially no upper limit on the employer contribution possible for Emma (other than the Employers capacity to make such a contribution and the overall lifetime limit for the maximum pension pot (Standard Fund Threshold). Reach out today Contact us today alternatively book your consultation https://www.quigley.ie/book-consultation and see how Quigley Financial Brokers can help you choose the best options available or contact richard@quigley.ie for further information.

Pension funding opportunity At the beginning of January 2023, a small wording change to pensions legislation resulted in a significant opportunity for company directors and business owners to fund larger pension pots than before. Since January 2023, an employer contribution to a Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) for an employee, is no longer taxable as a Benefit-In-Kind (BIK) for that employee. In essence, this change now allows an employer to contribute to a PRSA with no upper limit on employer contributions. In fact, the only limit is the lifetime Pension Fund limit which is currently €2,000,000. This rule change will be of significant interest for business owners and directors, as it means that they can now move profits from their business into a PRSA for themselves, for employed family members, and for employees. Let’s briefly explore some of the new PRSA opportunities 1. Company Directors or Business Owners on modest salaries Profile: Patrick is a 50-year-old male, married and on a €20,000 annual salary. He has a €300,000 pension fund and his retirement age is 60. Current Pension arrangement Patrick is currently invested in a Master Trust Executive Pension which is subject to funding limits. His Pension Advisor recently calculated Patrick’s maximum funding limit, which allows him to fund for a total pension fund of €432,000. As he already has €300,000 saved, the maximum he can save into his pension from now until retirement is €13,200 per annum over 10 years. The new PRSA opportunity Under the new PRSA rules, Patrick’s business can invest up to another €1,700,000 into a PRSA for him as the only PRSA limit which now applies is the lifetime limit of €2,000,000. 2. Family business with excess profits Profile: John and Mary are Company Directors, and their son David is also employed in the business. Current Pension arrangement John and Mary have funded Executive Pensions to €1,000,000 each and their son David has a pension fund in place of €300,000. The new PRSA opportunity Under the new PRSA rules, both John and Mary can fund a PRSA by an additional €1,000,000 to bring their pension funds up to €2,000,000 each. As David is employed in the business there is also an opportunity for the business to fund a PRSA up to the maximum lifetime limit of €2,000,000 – so an additional €1,700,000 above his current €300,000. Reach out today Contact us today alternatively book your consultation https://www.quigley.ie/book-consultation and see how Quigley Financial Brokers can help you choose the best options available or contact richard@quigley.ie for further information.

Good forward-thinking business planning means that SME owners should look at their options for extracting profits from their business in the most tax efficient manner. Better known as Wealth Extraction, this is the efficient means of withdrawing profits for the benefit of the business owner in the most tax efficient means possible which if done well, could lead to financial freedom in retirement. Key Advantages of investing your business profits in a Pension Corporation Tax Relief for the Employer @ 12.5% (Subject to Contribution Limits). Generous Limits for Employer’s to contribute. No Income Tax, PRSI or USC liability for the employee following the contribution. No PRSI Liability for the Employer as a result of remunerating the employee in this way. Profits invested in pension fund which allows tax free growth until retirement. Opportunity to plan for business exit strategy with access to funds available as early as 50 if all links with the business are severed or any time after age 60 without having to sever any links with the business. Pension lump sum at retirement which is tax free up to the first €200,000 and subject to favourable rate of 20% for the next €300,000. Income in retirement via Pension Annuity or Approved Retirement Fund. Possibility to pass wealth to spouse and children via Approved Retirement Fund. Reach out today Contact us today alternatively book your consultation https://www.quigley.ie/book-consultation and see how Quigley Financial Brokers can help you choose the best options available or contact richard@quigley.ie for further information.

Now is the best time to start looking at your pension. With tax relief available, there’s lots of scope to build a nest egg for the future. Whatever your stage in life, you can take steps towards a better retirement. No savings or investment product packs more punch than a pension, whatever your age. This is because they come with unparalleled tax advantages. If you are paying the highest rate of tax, at 40 per cent, the tax relief on pensions contributions means that for every €100 you put into your pension, it really only costs you €60. That’s not all. Your money grows tax free too, which is very different than the way savings or bank accounts are treated. If you put money into a bank account, you could get hit by DIRT tax (on interest earned), not so with pension savings. At the end of your pension savings, when you retire, you could get up to €200,000 tax free as well. On top of all that, you get the benefit of compounding. That means that investment returns made stay reinvested over time. The longer you leave your money in the more returns it should generate, and the larger your pension pot should become. What to do ... in your 20s and 30s The earlier you start the better. The advantages of starting your pension young is that you have more time to grow your pension fund and you can usually afford to take a higher investment risk. If you are saving over 30 or 40 years, you’ll see markets go up and down a lot in that time, but in the past, we’ve often seen markets go up over longer periods of time. Therefore, you can afford to weather a lot of storms, and can afford to take more risk, over the long term. For some people, their ability to save more has increased since Covid-19 broke*. For some who are working from home, it’s not costing them money to commute, they are not going out as much or entertaining. So there may be money available for people who are working and there has never been a better time to put it into a pension. Start small, save a little and get the ball rolling as soon as possible, to start benefiting from that compounding effect. With a company pension some employers can match your contributions. Remember: If your employer offers a pension, it could be a good idea to take it. With a company pension some employers can match your contributions, so it’s free money. Your €100 and your employer’s €100 adds up to €200, but it only costs you €60, so grab it with both hands. If it’s coming out of your salary on your payslip the chances are that you may never even miss it and, it could be as low as five per cent of your salary. If it’s a percentage of your salary and your salary goes up, your pension contributions do too, yet you may not even notice it. What to do ... in your 40s and 50s This is the time people start getting interested in pensions. They are starting to wonder when can they retire and exit the ‘rat race’. If you haven’t contributed to a pension previously it does mean it will cost you more to start at this age but, on the plus side, the chances are you are earning more and are in the higher tax bracket. You could still also have around 20 years of investing ahead of you, so you still have that longer time horizon. But the key is to get going as quickly as possible and to put in as much as possible. If you are 25 and you want to achieve a gross pension of €2,000 a month at 65, you may need to put away around €770 a month, before tax, though remember, if you are on the higher tax rate you get 40 per cent of that back as tax relief. If you are 45 starting and want to achieve the same pension, you may need to put away €1,591 a month. “It’s a massive jump, though again, you will get 40 per cent of that back in tax relief. But that’s just to get a retirement pension of €2,000 a month. When you considermnthe state pension is currently €12,900 a year, adding that would bring you up to €37,000 a year, which is around the average industrial wage. What to do ... in your 60s upwards By this stage those with pensions may have already considered their investment strategy, possibly switching funds from riskier funds with greater growth potential to funds that may offer more security. Those looking to boost their pension pot may consider making additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) as it’s not too late at this stage. The key thing about pensions is that they are just a savings vehicle. The more you put in, the more you’ll have and the more options you’ll have. Remember: Your pot may not be as big but the tax reliefs are great. In your twenties you can get tax relief of up to 40 per cent, on up to 15 per cent of your net relevant earnings. By the time you are over 60, this relief goes up to 40 per cent of your net relevant earnings (subject to a maximum of €115,000 net relevant earnings). It means you can put a lot of money into your pension at the end, at a time when you are much closer to getting your hands on your pension pot. It’s never too late so, whatever stage in life you are at, talk to an advisor. The information in this article does not constitute advice, and advice should always be sought from a qualified professional. * Household Deposit Transactions, Central Bank of Ireland – Money, Credit and Banking Statistics, August 2020 Warning: Past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance. Warning: If you invest in these funds you may lose some or all of the money you invest. Warning: The value of your investment may go down as well as up. Warning: If you invest in these products you may lose some or all of the money you invest. Warning: Benefits may be affected by changes in currency exchange rates. Reach out today Contact us today alternatively book your consultation https://www.quigley.ie/book-consultation and see how Quigley Financial Brokers can help you choose the best options available or contact richard@quigley.ie for further information.

When taking out a life insurance policy questions often arise, and because circumstances can change, its a good idea to regularly ask yourself if your cover is working for you. Throughout your lifetime, your life insurance needs will change. So deciding how much and what type of life insurance you need at each stage of your life is important. One simple thing to keep in mind when deciding on cover is that the more responsibility you have, the more life insurance you need. Here are a few questions to consider: 1. Is life insurance for me? If you want reassurance that should you become seriously ill or die, your family and business will be protected, your mortgage paid off and your loved ones won't be burdened with a large inheritance tax bill, then life insurance is definitely for you. 2. Who depends on me? If you have children, you should consider a term life insurance policy that is sufficient to support your family while they recalibrate their new financial situation. Unsure how much cover you need? 3. How much insurance can I afford? A term life insurance policy that covers the care of your loved ones in the event of your death is an inexpensive option, especially if you are under 40 and in reasonably good health. 4. How long of a term do I need? Its really up to you to decide the length of the term. Your age will be a defining factor as will your family situation. It is possible to have multiple policies and customise your life insurance to your changing wants and needs. Choosing a policy or combination of policies that gives you and your family the greatest potential benefit may seem complicated, but with the right advice and guidance, the process should be simplified considerably. A life insurance plan can cost considerably less than you think. You could be surprised with how inexpensive life protection cover can be. When choosing a protection plan there are a few options available. Why not talk us who can advise you on the best plan for you and your family. Reach out today Contact us today alternatively book your consultation https://www.quigley.ie/book-consultation and see how Quigley Financial Brokers can help you choose the best options available or contact richard@quigley.ie for further information.

Have you recently bought a house or plan to buy one in the future? You'll need mortgage protection. Mortgage protection is a dedicated type of life insurance. It helps secure the ownership of your home by helping to clear your outstanding mortgage if you die, or if selected, if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness, within a specified term. It can help alleviate any financial burden that may fall on a family member. When it comes to mortgage protection often people take out protection with their lender, but it pays to shop around. Talk to a Qualified Financial Advisor today to go through your options, secure the best rates and terms possible for new and existing policies. Reach out today Contact us today alternatively book your consultation https://www.quigley.ie/book-consultation and see how Quigley Financial Brokers can help you choose the best options available or contact richard@quigley.ie for further information.

Will your previous employer be there when you decide to retire and access your pension? It is not unusual for people to have several different jobs in a lifetime, one thing that people tend to put to the back of their mind once they change job, is the pension fund they have built up, as the years pass it becomes harder to keep track of these investments. If you would like to take control of your pension fund today, transfer it into your own name so your previous employer has no further involvement, a Personal Retirement Bond is the perfect vehicle to do so. What is a Personal Retirement Bond? A Personal Retirement Bond (PRB) is a straightforward way to take your pension fund with you if you decide to change job. A PRB is a personal policy that is set up for you by the trustees of your old pension scheme. It means that if you leave your company pension, you can bring your pension benefits with you by having the value of your fund transferred into a PRB. If you are planning to leave a job or have already done so and you are part of the group pension plan, a PRB could be a great option for you. A PRB would also be suitable if you decide to leave a company pension scheme for any other reason, or if the scheme is winding down. Why is a Personal Retirement Bond the right choice? Control - The main reason it makes sense to take out a Personal Retirement Bond is that you have greater control over your pension, whereas, if left with a previous employer that you are no longer in contact with means they have control over how it is invested and when you can access it. With a Personal Retirement Bond you have full control of how your money is invested and can access these funds from age 50 if required. It is your money, so why not make it work for you with the help of a Qualified Financial Advisor. Peace of mind - At Quigley Financial Brokers, our experienced advisors have a proven history in delivering long term consistent fund performance with AAA rated life companies. For example, one of our AAA rated life company flagship balanced fund has delivered an average of 10.2% since its launch in 1989, and in 2020 alone, it delivered a 12.3% return.* Keep track of your investment - with a Personal Retirement Bond you will have the opportunity to keep track of your investment through web access with the life company. QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme) - Over the years, thousands of Irish people have migrated to the UK in search of work and whilst there, paid into a company pension or private pension arrangement. If this is something that relates to you, rest assured Personal Retirement Bonds are QROPS approved (i.e. they can receive pension transfers from the UK). *Source: Zurich Life Investment returns. Reach out today Contact us today alternatively book your consultation https://www.quigley.ie/book-consultation and see how Quigley Financial Brokers can help you choose the best options available or contact richard@quigley.ie for further information.

When making important financial decisions — such as buying a home, starting a savings or pension plan, or protecting your income or family with life insurance — many people naturally turn to their local bank first. It feels familiar, convenient, and is often where they already manage their day-to-day banking. Convenience does not always mean best value — particularly when it comes to mortgages, investments, insurance, and pensions. Understanding the difference between a bank advisor and a financial broker, such as Quigley Financial Brokers, can make a significant financial difference over time. Here is how they compare. 1. Choice: One Provider vs. Market Comparison The most important difference is the range of options available. A tied bank advisor can only offer products from their own institution, while a financial broker compares solutions across multiple providers to help find the most suitable option for your needs. Bank Advisor A bank advisor is typically a “tied agent,” meaning they can only offer products and solutions from their own institution. Their recommendations are limited to their bank’s in-house range of mortgages, insurance, investments, and pensions. As a result, even if more competitive rates, stronger policy terms, or better-performing investment options are available elsewhere in the market, they are generally unable to recommend them. Why Use a Financial Broker? A financial broker acts as an intermediary between you and a range of leading financial providers. At Quigley Financial Brokers, we research the market across Ireland’s leading mortgage, investment, insurance, and pension providers on your behalf. Rather than being limited to a single institution, we compare rates, terms, features, and long-term value across multiple providers to help identify the solution best suited to your personal and financial objectives. Our approach is designed to help clients secure competitive terms while making informed decisions with clarity and confidence. 2. Impartiality and Client Focus Who is the advisor ultimately working for? Bank Advisors Bank advisors are employees of the bank and can only recommend their institution’s products and services. Their role is focused on offering solutions from within the bank’s own range. Financial Brokers At Quigley Financial Brokers, we work on behalf of our clients, not a single provider. Because we are not tied to one institution, we can compare options across the market and recommend the solution that offers the most suitable value, terms, and long-term benefit for your needs. 3. The Underwriting Advantage Not every financial situation fits a standard application. If you are self-employed, have a complex medical history, or earn non-standard income, some banks and providers can take a more rigid approach. Key Takeaway Banks often work within strict internal criteria. An financial broker understands the different lending and underwriting approaches across the market. At Quigley Financial Brokers, we can identify which lenders or insurers may be more suitable for specific circumstances, helping clients access solutions that may not be available through a single institution alone. 4. Long-Term Relationships Financial planning is not a once-off decision — it evolves throughout different stages of life. Bank Advisors In large banking institutions, staff changes are common. The advisor who arranges your mortgage or policy today may no longer be your point of contact in the future. Financial Brokers At Quigley Financial Brokers, we value long-term client relationships. Our clients in Dublin, Wexford, and across Ireland know they can return to the same trusted adviser for ongoing reviews, adjustments, and guidance as their circumstances change over time. 5. Cost and Transparency There is a common myth that brokers are more expensive. In reality, because brokers can access "broker-only" rates and a wider variety of providers, they often find much cheaper premiums and lower interest rates than a high-street bank offers. In Ireland, brokers are required to be fully transparent about how they are paid so you always know exactly where you stand. The Verdict: Which Should You Choose? Choose a Bank Advisor if: You prefer the convenience of dealing with a single institution and have straightforward financial needs, even if it may limit your access to wider market options or more competitive rates. Choose a Financial Broker if: You want access to broader market choice, competitive rates, expert guidance for more complex situations, and advice that considers your overall financial position — not just one product. Ready to experience the difference for yourself? Contact Quigley Financial Brokers to arrange a confidential review. At Quigley Financial Brokers, we provide expert, impartial advice tailored to your life goals. Whether you're in Dublin, Wexford, or anywhere in Ireland, let us do the hard work of comparing the market for you.