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 their lifestyle. In this episode, I explore the uncomfortable truth behind retirement readiness, from the dominance of State Pensions to the worrying lack of planning, and why delayed gratification and early saving matter more than ever. Key Points: State Pension reliance: In Ireland, over half of workers without private pensions expect to rely mainly on the State Pension (€15,100 p.a. in 2025). Research insights: CCPC data shows 26% of adults are completely unprepared for retirement; many regret starting pensions too late or don’t understand how they work. Spending reality: Retirement spending often follows a U-shaped “smile”—high early, lower mid-life, higher again with health costs. But reductions are often enforced, not chosen. Global parallels: US data mirrors the same challenge—most middle-aged households have modest pension balances, and Social Security dominates retirement income. Cultural habits: Rising instant-spending patterns today may make cutting back tomorrow feel like deprivation. Solutions: Start saving early, define retirement goals, regularly review pension performance, seek professional advice, and prepare for Auto Enrolment (2026). The takeaway: Financial freedom in retirement won’t just happen—it must be planned for deliberately, and the time to act is now.
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26:31
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26:31
The Most Dangerous Day in Retirement with Dan Haylett
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 around helping people prepare for retirement in a way that goes far beyond the numbers, focusing on the human side of life after work. Together, we explore: Why retirement is less a maths problem and more a human challenge. The dangers of the “blank canvas” problem and why day 182 of retirement can be the most difficult. Dan’s five pillars of a thriving retirement: purpose, identity, relationships, structure, and wellbeing. The concept of memory planning—turning money into meaningful experiences rather than just numbers on a page. Why modern retirees are “first-generation retirement rebels” and how to overcome the fear of spending after decades of saving. I hope you find this episode, full of insights for anyone thinking about how to make the most of their second half of life—financially, emotionally, and personally. Paddy What Will I Do All Day? by Patrice Jenkins — a short, self-published book full of stories and insights from retirees, which Dan describes as a "wonderful punchy read" TFP Financial Planning Dan's LinkedIn Disclaimer The content of this site including blogs and podcasts is for information purposes only. Everybody’s financial situation is different and the content we share on our site and through podcasts may not be applicable to you. The articles, blogs and podcasts are not investment advice. They do not take account of your individual circumstances, including your knowledge and experience and attitude to risk. Informed Decisions can’t be held responsible for the consequences if you pursue a course of action based on the information we share
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53:39
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53:39
Irish Pension Calculator: Do You Really Need €2M to Retire Comfortably??
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 said "I don't bloody need €2m pension pot"! Today, we're asking a different question entirely: Do I actually need a €2 million pension pot to retire comfortably? And you'll see why I suggest the following are appropriate pension pots to fund a 'comfortable' retirement lifestyle; c€500k if you plan to retire in your mid 60's c€1m if you would like to retire in your mid 50's These may seem like a luxury questions, but are the most important aspects in our retirement planning in Ireland. Because here's the truth: knowing how much you need to spend in retirement is key to knowing how much you need to save for your pension pot Ireland. Disclaimer: Seek professional advice before taking any course of action.
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30:27
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30:27
Build & Spend a 2m Pension Pot
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, discipline, and a few skipped car upgrades! Fran started young, contributed consistently, and maximised every bit of tax relief and employer matching he could get his hands on. He invested for growth, kept his cool through market crashes, and stuck to the plan. Over 30 years, a €350,000 net contribution turned into a €2 million pension pot. We walk through: • Exactly how Fran built that pot • How he drew income tax-efficiently from 55 onwards • How he used the ARF to stay flexible and keep control • And how he left a legacy worth millions – without giving half of it to Revenue If you're working in Ireland and want financial independence on your own terms, Fran’s journey is a blueprint worth paying attention to. No fluff, no jargon – just a straight-talking guide to building your future wealth and freedom. Let’s dive in and see what we can learn from Fran’s €2M success story. I hope it helps. Disclaimer The content of this site including blogs and podcasts is for information purposes only. Everybody’s financial situation is different and the content we share on our site and through podcasts may not be applicable to you. The articles, blogs and podcasts are not investment advice. They do not take account of your individual circumstances, including your knowledge and experience and attitude to risk. Informed Decisions can’t be held responsible for the consequences if you pursue a course of action based on the information we share
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33:41
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33:41
Take 5%, not 4% from my ARF - with Bill Bengen (creator of the 4% rule!)
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 book on retirement withdrawals. Back in 1994, Bill's groundbreaking research established what became known worldwide as the "4% rule". This was the cornerstone of retirement planning, that suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually without running out of money. But here's where it gets interesting for our Irish listeners: Bill has been revisiting his own work, and his latest research suggests that retirees today might actually be able to take 5% from their Approved Retirement Funds over multiple decades, not the traditional 4% many have been following. For those managing ARFs here in Ireland, this could be game-changing news. We know how crucial it is to balance enjoying your retirement years while ensuring your money lasts - it's that delicate dance between living well today and having security tomorrow. Bill's going to walk us through exactly why he believes this adjustment makes sense in today's market conditions, and how to think about implementing this approach with your own ARF strategy. Whether you're already drawing from your ARF or planning for that transition, this conversation could reshape how you think about your retirement income. Let's dive in with the man who started it all! I hope it helps. Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA Disclaimer: Seek professional advice before taking any course of action. Disclaimer The content of this site including blogs and podcasts is for information purposes only. Everybody’s financial situation is different and the content we share on our site and through podcasts may not be applicable to you. The articles, blogs and podcasts are not investment advice. They do not take account of your individual circumstances, including your knowledge and experience and attitude to risk. Informed Decisions can’t be held responsible for the consequences if you pursue a course of action based on the information we share
About Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast
Take control of your financial future by joining us on Ireland's Independent & award-winning Investment & Retirement Planning Podcast, with Paddy Delaney (QFA RPA APA).
Join Paddy & guests as they cut through the noise, nonsense and smoke-n-mirrors of financial services in Ireland. We want you to avoid costly mistakes and to make informed financial decisions in your investments and retirement planning.
Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA
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