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Informed Decisions: Ireland's Independent Retirement Planning Podcast

Paddy Delaney, QFA RPA APA | Independent Retirement Planner, Ireland

300 episodes

Informed Decisions is Ireland's award-winning podcast on pensions, retirement planning and financial planning, hosted by Paddy Delaney.

More about the show

Paddy, founder of Informed Decisions, is one of a small number of retirement planners in Ireland who work on a genuinely fee-only basis: no commission from any product provider, no products sold, and nobody but the client paying for the advice.

If you are within ten years of retiring and you have built up a substantial pension, the difficult part is no longer saving. It is knowing what to do with what you have. An awful lot of people arrive at that point with a fund value and no strategy, and no clear sense of whose advice is actually on their side.

That is what this show is for. Every week, Paddy works through the decisions that really make a difference: current issues in the world of finance that affect your pension in Ireland and fundamental questions that every Irish person should ask themselves when planning their retirement, f.e.:

• How much income a pension can realistically sustain in retirement, and for how long • ARF or annuity: what each one actually costs you over twenty years of drawdown • Why the default fund your pension has been sitting in may not be doing what you assume • What Revenue's rules mean in practice: the Standard Fund Threshold, imputed distribution, and the tax on your retirement lump sum • PRSAs, AVCs and company pensions, and which structure suits which situation

ABOUT YOUR HOST Paddy Delaney is one of very few independent, fee-only financial planner in Ireland and the voice behind Informed Decisions. He is a Qualified Financial Adviser (QFA) and Retirement Planning Adviser (RPA), also holding the APA designation, and has been publishing this podcast since 2017. His work centres on Irish retirement income planning: ARF drawdown strategy, pension structuring, and tax-efficient income for people approaching or already in retirement.

New episode every week and more content on YouTube, too.

📊 Check where you stand with Informed Decisions free 10-minute Retirement Readiness Scorecard: https://www.informeddecisions.ie/pension-calculator

📅 See how we work: https://www.informeddecisions.ie

WHO THIS PODCAST IS FOR Business owners, senior professionals and executives across Ireland, typically between 45 and 65, with pension and investment assets built over a career.

DISCLAIMER

Informed Decisions Limited, trading as Informed Decisions Financial Planning, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

This podcast is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial advice. Everyone's situation is different. Always speak to a qualified, independent advisor before making pension or investment decisions. Tax rules and pension regulations change; figures quoted are accurate at time of recording.

Episodes page 2 of 6

  1. Don't Be The Magpie, And Achieve Better Investment Returns

    · 27 min

    In this week's podcast, we dive into why so many investors underperform the very funds they invest in. Drawing on Morningstar's Mind the Gap 2025 research, we explore how "magpie behaviour" — chasing shiny new…

  2. Why Retirement Costs More Than We Think or Hope!

    · 27 min

    Would you rather build a financial future lined with velvet cushions, or one pieced together with spud bags?? Too many households in Ireland—and globally—are entering retirement without the savings needed to sustain…

  3. The Most Dangerous Day in Retirement with Dan Haylett

    · 54 min

    In this week's episode, I chat with Dan Haylett, Director of TFP Financial Planning in the UK, author of The Retirement You Didn't See Coming, and host of the Humans vs Retirement podcast. Dan has built his career…

  4. Irish Pension Calculator: Do You Really Need €2M to Retire Comfortably??

    · 30 min

    In our last podcast, we celebrated Fran's incredible achievement of amassing a €2 million pension pot through decades of disciplined saving and investing. Some who read it were inspired, some were envious, and others…

  5. Build & Spend a 2m Pension Pot

    · 34 min

    Today, we're diving into the real-life(ish) story of Fran – a regular guy who built a €2 million+ pension pot and retired at 55. No big lotto win. No magic investment hacks. Just smart use of Ireland's pension system,…

  6. Take 5%, not 4% from my ARF - with Bill Bengen (creator of the 4% rule!)

    · 38 min

    Welcome to Informed Decisions Podcast, where we bring you expert insights for Irish investors and retirees. Today, we have a rip-roaring guest joining us - Bill Bengen, the financial planner who literally wrote the…

  7. Venture Capital and Private Market Investing with Rob and Scott

    · 1 h 03 min

    In this episode of the Informed Decisions podcast, I chat with Rob Halligan and Scott Ashmore, co-founders of Shuttle, a platform aiming to democratise access to private equity and venture capital investments. The…

  8. Understanding Your Defined Benefit Pension Scheme

    · 37 min

    If you've ever looked at your pension statement and thought, "What does this actually mean?" You're not alone. In this episode, #338, we're cutting through the jargon and making sense of Defined Benefit (DB) pension…

  9. Flashback to episode 296 - Risk of Ruin...Lifestyle & Default Investment Pension Strategies

    · 22 min

    For the past 8 years, I've been making the case that most investors, particularly those who can tolerate volatility, should avoid Lifestyle investment strategies in pensions. It's been a lonely stance, with little to…

  10. How Big Should My Pension Be?

    · 30 min

    This week I flashback to a podcast from 2021! While it is a few years old its a common and important question. Key takeaways • How big your pension should be when you start drawing down income • How big your pension…

  11. 8 Years Later! The Soul of Wealth with Dr. Daniel Crosby

    · 57 min · Episode 335

    In this week's podcast I chat with Dr. Daniel Crosby. He discusses the evolution of behavioral finance over the past eight years, reflecting on the growing acceptance and understanding of the field. He shares insights…

  12. What's the best ARF Fund for my pension?

    · 29 min

    In this week's podcast #334 I take a look ARFs If you google 'best ARF Fund in Ireland' today, you will get many results. The first few are of course paid-for, sponsored adverts from firms who want your clicks (and…

  13. Saving & Gifting to Kids in Ireland? Doing it Wrong Costs Thousands in Tax

    · 23 min

    In this week's episode, I explore crucial financial planning lessons for Irish families, highlighting examples where small oversights led to significant tax bills. Discover how one family's misunderstanding of…

  14. 'Your Best PRSA & Master Trust Options' - with Glenn Gaughran

    · 46 min

    In episode 332 of the Informed Decisions Podcast, Paddy speaks with Glen Gaughran, Director and Head of Business Development at Independent Trustee Company (ITC). With nearly two decades of experience overseeing…

  15. Exit from Work: Redefining Retirement with Dr. Gregg Lunceford

    · 54 min

    Informed Decisions Podcast | Episode 331 In this insightful episode, Paddy engages with Dr. Gregg Lunceford - retirement researcher, Certified Financial Planner®, and author of Exit from Work: What Will the New You…

  16. Gillen Markets GM Fund Analysis & Review

    · 29 min

    In this week's podcast, 330, I take a look at Gillen Markets. Gillen Markets have built a solid reputation as investment managers and advisors over the past decade and a half, led by founder Rory Gillen. They…

  17. Markets Fall, I Hate It Too, But It's Always Temporarily!

    · 24 min

    In this week's podcast I talk about what's on a lot of people's minds - the markets. As many expected, the media ran amock with the 'Liberation Day' announcements, and the resultant panicked actions of some investors…

  18. Investing in Emerging Market Sectors with Kevin Carter EMQQ Global

    · 1 h 32 min

    In this week's podcast I chat with Kevin Carter, founder and CIO of EMQQ, investors in the emerging market technology sector. A really interesting conversation, which I hope you find helpful Key topics: • What EMQQ…

  19. Why Indexing Still Wins for Long-Term Investors and Pension Holders

    · 25 min

    Back in 2020, I wrote a piece outlining the uncomfortable truth that active fund managers find it hard to wrestle with....that most of them consistently fail to outperform 'the market'. Fast forward to 2025, and guess…

  20. Best Pension Option For Self-Employed Directors in Ireland (in 2025!)

    · 32 min

    In this week's podcast I talk about pension options for self-employed directors. Over the past 3 years, the actual best pension option for self-employed directors has changed 3 times! Not because Financial Advisors and…

  21. Rental Income Tax Planning with Brendan Allen

    · 1 h 11 min

    In this week's podcast, I chat with Brendan Allen a specialist in property tax. He is a Chartered Tax Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor, and is the owner of Allen & Co Tax Accountants and Landlord Tax Returns and is…

  22. Building Olympic Resilience with David Gillick

    · 1 h 04 min

    On this week's podcast, episode 324, I chat with Olympian, David Gillick about resilience and his journey and how he got through some really dark days. Something we will experience as investors. David shares some fun…

  23. US Market Warnings – And What We Can Do About It

    · 46 min

    There is more and more commentators shouting from the roof-tops about the massive growth of North American stock values and earnings over the past few years (since Covid really). I'll explore what is and isn't really…

  24. EIIS Investing in Ireland with Kevin Canning

    · 51 min

    In this week's podcast I talk with Kevin Canning, Managing Director of Quintas Capital. Kevin specialises in private markets and is the Investment Director of The EIIS Innovation Fund managed by Quintas. He is a…

  25. Holding Companies and Family Partnerships For Smart Tax Planning

    · 46 min

    In this week's podcast I chat to John Murphy a Director of OmniPro Tax and Legal Limited John is a Chartered Tax Adviser, who works with clients on income tax, tax planning, restructuring to exit planning as well as…

  26. Jordan Grumet Interview - Longevity, Health & Happiness

    · 41 min

    In this week's podcast I talk to Dr. Jordan Grumet, about the topics he covers in his new book The Purpose Code. Bringing together the topics of longevity, health, purpose and money. The Purpose Code hopes to help you…

  27. What to Expect If Markets fall by 30% in 2025: A Retirement Asset Comparison

    · 25 min

    Planning for, and subsequently living (!) a dignified and choice-filled retirement is the biggest financial goal many of us have, or will have. It's also a journey of uncertainties, and one of the biggest uncertanties…

  28. Tax Rates for Retirees in Ireland (2025)

    · 22 min

    In this week's podcast, the last for 2024 I talk about Tax Rates for Retirees in Ireland (2025). We spend a lot of time planning, analysing and accumulating retirement assets, often without clarity on the tax rates…

  29. Should I Stay Invested When Markets Are At All-Time Highs?

    · 22 min

    In this week's podcast, I talk about should I stay invested when markets are at all time highs, is something many will rightly ask. And here is the data to show it; • S&P 500 is at 6,090 right now (all-time high) •…

  30. The 5 Benefits of Passive Index Investing in Ireland

    · 24 min

    In this week's podcast, I talk about Index Investing in Ireland – A topic that will be of interest to all As you know at Informed Decisions, we believe in helping build a secure financial future through strategies…

  31. Investing for Income Independence with Steve Selengut

    · 1 h 03 min

    In this week's podcast, Paddy chats with Steve Selengut, a.k.a The Income Coach about income generation strategies. An interesting and different approach. Steve has accumulated over 40 years of experience as a private…

  32. Investment Options in Ireland & What It Says About You!

    · 30 min

    In this week's podcast, I talk about investment options in Ireland. There are a bucket-load of investment options in Ireland. It is one of the biggest questions we see and hear from people. Yet, the landscape is…

  33. Protection Questions When Approaching Retirement With Nick McGowan

    · 54 min

    In this week's podcast I speak with Nick McGowan from Lion.ie about protection from all angles. Particularly chatting about questions that often come up from those that are approaching or just starting retirement.…

  34. How Much Income Will €1 Million Generate in Retirement?

    · 28 min

    In this week's podcast, I talk about how much income will €1 million generate in retirement. Planning for retirement in Ireland involves making important decisions about how to generate reliable income from your…

  35. Property Investing Tax Considerations with Paul Molloy

    · 55 min

    In this week's podcast, I chat with Paul Molloy from Box Clever Tax. His motto is "to help clients pay the correct and lowest amount of tax possible." #Please do check some comments made around tax rates & rules, and…

  36. How Much Do I Need To Retire Comfortably in Ireland? Craggy Island Style...

    · 29 min

    If you're like most people we work with, as you approach retirement , you've probably found yourself asking the question: 'How much do I need to retire comfortably?' It's one of the most common questions we get here…

  37. Pension Adjustment Orders

    · 23 min

    This week I take a look at Pension Adjustment Orders. Pension Adjustment Orders are things that none of us probably anticipate we need to know about, until we do. This week I will share the following, in the hope that…

  38. Lump Sum Investing vs Dollar Cost Averaging €1m in Ireland

    · 31 min

    In this week's podcast, I take a look at lump sum invested vs dollar cost averages €1m in Ireland. Key topic points: • Pros and cons of Lump Sum Investing and Dollar Cost Averaging • A 'look-back' to see which has…

  39. Expat Taxes with Stephanie Wickham

    · 50 min

    In this week's podcast we have a fantastic, informative chat with awarding winning, international expat tax advisor, KPMG chartered accountant, and tax specialist, Stephanie Wickham. Key topics include: •…

  40. Guardrails for Irish Retirees #308

    · 25 min

    In this week's podcast I talk about Guardrails for Irish retirees. One of the big questions I hear from clients heading into their 'next chapter' (blissful retirement!) is: how much can I actually spend each year…

  41. Budget 2025 Don't Look Back In Anger #307

    · 20 min

    This week I share a short piece with you to help prepare for relevant (potential) changes in the upcoming Budget. What we'll all want to avoid is seeing a change come into effect that we could have seen coming, and…

  42. The Good, The Bad, & The Bonds #306

    · 23 min

    In this week's podcast we talk about what's happening with bonds and why you should care. Over the past two years, we've seen dramatic shifts in the bond markets. Lots of investors and pension holders in Ireland have…

  43. Federal Estate Tax in Ireland #305

    · 21 min

    In this week's podcast, I cover a topic that I did a couple of years ago. FET is still an issue that I believe awareness is still not as wide as it should be. Potential Federal Estate Tax (FET) on US-based assets is…

  44. R.O.N.A.N - Lessons I've Learned...About Life & Retirement

    · 18 min

    This week's podcast was a difficult one to do, and I'm still not sure if it's appropriate or not for this space, but my intent is to look for the positives, and to be reminded of a few key principles, financial and…

  45. Section 73 Investment Plans - Bear With Me. Podcast#303

    · 27 min · S1 E303

    For those looking to pass on wealth while trying to simultaneously reduce tax on the proceeds, Section 73 investment plans offer a potential solution. These plans are specifically designed and sold to try manage…

  46. Get Your Taxes in Order with Alan Purcell #302

    · 1 h 10 min

    In this weeks podcast we have a interesting guest with us - Alan Purcell from Cloud Accounts in Dublin. Alan is unique as he is both a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor. We had a quite broad conversation…

  47. From The Marines to Professor of Financial Planning #301

    · 55 min

    For this week's podcast we welcome a fantastic guest, Chet Bennetts. A professor of Financial Planning with a wonderful story about how he got to where he is and shares some interesting ideas with us. Main topics: •…

  48. Investing vs Inflation, We Are Hiring & I Interview My Kids #300

    · 39 min

    This week's podcast is the 300th Informed Decisions Personal Finance Podcast, so it is a little bit different than the usual! Key topics are: • Inflation vs Investments over the past few years, what has or has not…

  49. Section 72 Policies - Pros & Cons #299

    · 29 min

    In this week's podcast I take a look at Section 72 policies. What are they and what's good and bad about them? What would the outcome look like if you saved the premium instead? Section 72 policies are often discussed…

  50. Inflation On Your Pension Assets #298

    · 22 min

    In this week's podcast I tackle a topic that's been heavily addressed already, inflation - but in the context of what it means for your pension assets. You may have noticed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) suggesting…

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