Retirement Planning, Kildare
Getting ready for Retirement - Stop Working, Start Living
Retirement Planning Advice Kildare
How to retire successfully:
We all know it’s important to have saving for retirement but many people I talk to don’t have any savings simply because they just don’t know how to save for retirement or where to start.
Retirement looks different for everyone – you need to make it personal so that it will work for you. It is never too early to put a plan in place.
Let’s start your plan today
Frequently Asked Questions on Retirement Planning
When should I start planning for retirement?
The honest answer is as early as you possibly can. The earlier you start, the more time your contributions have to grow and the less you need to put aside each month to reach the same goal. That said, it is never too late to make a meaningful difference. The tax relief on pension contributions rises with age, so those in their fifties and sixties can shelter a larger share of their income. A review in your forties or fifties is a really good time to check you are on course.
How much of my pension can I take as a tax free lump sum?
At retirement you can usually take up to a quarter of your pension fund as a lump sum. The first €200,000 of that lump sum is tax free. The portion between €200,000 and €500,000 is taxed at the standard rate of 20%. There is an overall lifetime limit of €500,000 on the tax free and standard rate portions combined. How you take the balance of the fund then affects your income and tax in retirement, which is where careful financial planning matters.
What are my options for the rest of my pension fund?
Once you have taken any lump sum, the balance can generally be used to buy an annuity or to invest in an approved retirement fund. An annuity gives a guaranteed income for life, while an approved retirement fund keeps your money invested and lets you draw an income with more flexibility, though the value can fall as well as rise. Each option is taxed as income when you draw it. The right choice depends on your need for certainty, flexibility and legacy.
At what age can I access my pension and the State Pension?
Most personal and occupational pensions can be accessed from age 60 and in some occupational cases earlier. Auto enrolment savings are linked to State Pension age. The State Pension Contributory is currently paid from age 66. The personal rate rose to €299.30 a week in 2026. Because private pensions and the State Pension can start at different ages, it helps to plan how they fit together so your income is steady across the whole of your retirement.
How do I know if I am on track for the retirement I want?
Start by picturing the income you would like in retirement, then compare it with what your current pensions and the State Pension are likely to provide. The gap tells you whether to increase contributions, adjust your funds or change your target retirement age. Checking your PRSI record also confirms your State Pension entitlement. Reviewing this every few years and using the age related tax relief available to you keeps your plan realistic and on course.
People Also Ask
When should I get an existing pension reviewed before I retire?
Checking the fund, charges and contribution level keeps an existing pension on track for retirement. See our reviewing your pension page.
What is an approved retirement fund and how does drawdown work?
An approved retirement fund keeps your pension invested while you draw an income in retirement. Read more on our approved retirement fund page.
How does an annuity provide a guaranteed income for life?
An annuity converts your pension fund into a set income that is paid for the rest of your life. Learn more on our annuities page.
Can I find pensions from jobs I had years ago?
Pensions from former employers are easy to lose and worth tracking down before retirement. See our lost pension page.
Where do My Future Fund savings fit alongside my other pensions?
My Future Fund savings sit alongside any private pension and the State Pension in your plan. See our auto enrolment page.