Choosing a financial advisor is a high-impact decision. The right partner helps you protect today’s income, grow long-term wealth, and turn retirement goals into an actionable plan. You get impartial guidance, a disciplined process, and ongoing reviews that keep pensions, investments, protection, and savings working together.
Who We Help and What You Get
We work with salaried professionals, self-employed owners and directors, growing families, and people approaching retirement. If you want clear steps you can stick to, not jargon – we’re a good fit.
What you get at a glance
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A written plan tied to goals and timelines
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An investment approach you can hold in rough markets
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Pension and tax-relief opportunities captured within Revenue rules
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Protection sized for income, life, and mortgage needs
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Reviews so fees, risk, and progress stay on track
Employees
We set a pension contribution that matches your target income, pick a risk band you can live with, and check charges so more of the return stays yours. You’ll know what to contribute this year and when we’ll review it again.
Self-employed & directors
We help decide between PRSA, company plan, or AVCs, smooth contributions around cash-flow swings, and add income protection with a deferred period that fits your buffer. We also separate business risk from personal goals so both can progress.
Families & new homeowners
We size mortgage protection and life cover to debts and dependants, then build a simple saving–investing path once your emergency fund reaches 3–6 months. The aim is resilience first, growth second.
Pre-retirees & retirees
We tidy old pension pots, plan withdrawals, and weigh ARF versus annuity so your money lasts. Sequence-of-returns risk is managed with a drawdown plan you can follow even when markets wobble.
Example: balancing income-protection cost
You want income protection but premiums feel high. We match the deferred period to your emergency fund: moving from 13 to 26 weeks can reduce cost, while your 3–6 month cash buffer covers the gap. You stay protected without stretching monthly outgoings. A realistic target is up to 75% of earnings less social benefits.
First 90 days: what we actually do
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Lock targets, set pension contributions (including any AVCs), and map the emergency-cash goal.
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Implement the portfolio with a defined asset mix and rebalancing rule; quote and place any protection changes.
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Schedule the annual review and life-event triggers so updates happen on time without chasing.
Common questions we settle fast
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PRSA or company plan, and how much to contribute this year
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Consolidating old pensions without losing valuable terms
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A realistic income-protection level (up to 75% of earnings less social benefits)
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ARF or annuity, and how withdrawals affect tax and longevity
Result: fewer costly mistakes, better use of reliefs, and a plan you can actually follow.
Get personalised advice on Financial Advisor. No obligation.Speak with a Qualified Financial Adviser
Information only; not personal advice until we assess your circumstances.
How Our Advice Improves Outcomes
Smart structure usually matters more than chasing the “perfect” fund. We focus on levers that change results you can measure: tax relief captured, fees reduced, risk set correctly, and behaviour guided by rules instead of headlines.
Worked example: capturing pension tax relief
If you contribute €500 per month at a 40% marginal rate, your out-of-pocket cost is €300, yet your pension still receives €500 (within Revenue limits). Commit €300 outside a pension and you miss the extra €200 each month.
Over 20 years at an illustrative 5% annual return (compounded monthly):
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Inside pension: €500 monthly ≈ €205,516.83 (gross)
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Outside pension: €300 monthly ≈ €123,310.10 (gross)
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Difference: ≈ €82,206.73 before fees and charges
Why that gap exists
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The tax relief boosts the gross amount working for you from day one.
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Compounding works on a larger base for 240 months.
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Automated contributions reduce timing mistakes and skipped months.
Assumptions are illustrative, rounded, and exclude fees or tax on withdrawal. Relief is subject to Revenue rules and age-related limits.
What we adjust for you in practice
We set a contribution that matches your target income, pick a risk band you can hold through bad markets, and choose the right wrapper (PRSA, company plan, AVCs) for your situation. We also map total costs in euros and basis points, then schedule annual checks so reliefs, charges, and progress stay on track.
Other levers that move real outcomes
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Fee drag: trimming costs by 0.40% on €250,000 can save about €1,000 a year before compounding.
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Behaviour guardrails: a documented rebalancing rule prevents panic selling or FOMO buying.
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Withdrawal sequencing: near retirement, cash buckets and rebalancing help manage sequence-of-returns risk so income stays predictable.
Bottom line: structure, discipline, and costs drive most of the result. We design those levers around your goals, then keep them tuned as life changes.
Services We Provide
Pensions
Set contribution levels that match your target retirement income, choose a risk level you can hold, and review annually for reliefs, charges, and performance. We work with PRSAs, company plans, and AVCs.
Pensions In Ireland
Investments
Goal‑based portfolios, globally diversified UCITS/ETFs, with a documented rebalancing rule so decisions are calm, not reactive.
Investing In Ireland
Life Insurance
Cover real risks with the right sums assured and terms. We size policies to debts and dependents and avoid overlap.
Life Insurance In Ireland
Mortgage protection
Mortgage protection pays off the outstanding loan if you die during the policy term, so your family keeps the home. We usually match the amount and term to your mortgage, using a decreasing term policy that tracks the balance.
Mortgage Protection In Ireland
Income Protection
Replace income if illness or injury stops you from working. We match the deferred period to your cash buffer and target up to 75% of earnings less social benefits.
Income Protection In Ireland
Savings
Emergency cash first, then purposeful pots for near‑term goals. For horizons 5+ years, we discuss investing and inflation realistically.
Savings In Ireland
Get personalised advice on Financial Advisor. No obligation.Speak with a Qualified Financial Adviser
Information only; not personal advice until we assess your circumstances.
Fees Explained With Examples (commission, flat fee, hybrid)
Clarity beats surprises. Before you decide, you’ll see your total cost in euros and percentages, and exactly how it’s paid. You choose the model that suits your preference and cash flow.
Commission
The provider pays us from the product’s charges, so your upfront cost is lower. The trade-off is that the product’s ongoing cost includes our remuneration, which we disclose in euro and percentage terms before you sign.
Flat fee
You pay a fixed planning or advice fee, separating advice from product. This suits second opinions and clear, scoped projects. You pay a fixed planning or advice fee, separating advice from product. This suits second opinions and clear, scoped projects.
Hybrid
Part fixed fee, part commission where appropriate. This works when there are several moving parts (for example, pension tidy-up plus protection changes) and you want planning and implementation bundled.
Illustrative examples (not offers)
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Protection policy
Premium €35 per month. Commission is paid by the provider and shown to you in writing. Your upfront advice cost: €0. -
Investment review and plan
Planning fee €600 once. Optional ongoing advice fee, for example 0.50% per year on assets advised, or €0 ongoing with a book-as-needed annual review. -
Pension consolidation
Analysis fee €450. Implementation at your choice: ongoing advice fee (for example 0.50% per year) or a pay-per-review model with no ongoing fee.
Figures are examples only. Final numbers depend on scope, provider and product choice. You’ll receive written disclosure of every euro and every percentage before you commit.
Quick chooser:
- Commission if you want cover with no upfront bill.
- Flat fee if you want advice separated from products.
- Hybrid if you want planning plus implementation with a balanced cost mix.
Regulation and Qualifications (authorisation, MCC, APA, QFA/CFP)
Irish financial advice is tightly regulated so you know who you are dealing with and what standards apply. We operate through a firm authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland, and our advisers meet the Minimum Competency requirements for retail advice. You can verify any authorised firm on the Central Bank’s public register.
Authorisation and oversight
Authorised firms are supervised by the Central Bank for conduct and prudential standards. The register shows permissions, trading names and status so you can confirm you are working with a regulated provider before you share documents or act on recommendations.
Minimum Competency (MCC and MCR)
Advisers must satisfy the Minimum Competency Code 2017 and the Minimum Competency Regulations 2017, effective from 3 January 2018. These set minimum qualifications, product‑specific competencies and ongoing CPD so advice remains current and fit for purpose.
Independence, fair analysis and fee disclosure
We act as a Broker, providing advice on the basis of a fair and personal analysis of the market. Under Central Bank/Consumer Protection Code rules, use of the term “independent” is restricted. We do not describe our advice as “independent.”
For insurance-based products, we disclose in writing how we are paid (commission, flat fee, or hybrid) and how potential conflicts are managed before you decide.
Typical qualifications
Advisers typically hold QFA for retail financial advice; some of our team also hold APA (Approved Product Adviser). Where appropriate, advisers may also hold CFP® for holistic financial planning. All qualifications are maintained with structured CPD under the Minimum Competency framework.
Verification: Roger Carragher provides advice under our firm’s authorisation by the Central Bank of Ireland and operates within the Minimum Competency framework.
Get personalised advice on Financial Advisor. No obligation.Speak with a Qualified Financial Adviser
Information only; not personal advice until we assess your circumstances.
FAQs
Do I need an adviser if I already have a pension?
Often yes. Getting contributions, risk, and fees right can add more value than chasing last year’s top fund. We align your set-up with Revenue limits and your retirement target, then review at least once a year.
How do you choose investment risk?
We start with goal and time horizon, then agree a risk band you can live with through volatility. A written rebalancing rule keeps you on track so decisions are calm, not reactive.
Are your fees transparent?
Yes. You see every euro and percentage before you decide. We outline commission, flat fee, or hybrid and give a simple year-one and year-three comparison.
Are you independent and regulated?
Advice is delivered by a firm authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland. We act as a Broker on a fair & personal analysis basis and do not describe our advice as “independent” under CPC rules. We provide clear fee/commission disclosure in advance of any recommendation.
Can you work with my existing pensions and investments?
Yes. We review current charges and terms, then decide whether to keep, switch, or consolidate. We handle PRSAs, company plans, buy-out bonds, and AVCs, and we explain any trade-offs before you move.
What happens first?
A short intro call to confirm fit. If we proceed, we complete a fact-find and send a written plan with next steps and costs.
What should I bring to the first meeting?
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Latest pension or investment statements
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Details of protection policies and mortgage
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Recent payslip or income info and an outline of monthly costs
How often will we meet?
A full review at least 1 time per year, plus check-ins for life events or market changes that affect your plan.
What if markets fall after I invest?
We use a diversified portfolio, hold the risk level you agreed, and rebalance on a schedule. Close to retirement we add cash buffers and a drawdown rule to manage sequence-of-returns risk.
ARF or annuity at retirement?
It depends on income needs, longevity, and risk tolerance. We model both so you can see how income, tax, and flexibility differ, then choose with confidence.
Do you have a minimum?
There is no large minimum for an initial conversation. If a minimum applies to a specific product or service, we tell you upfront so there are no surprises.
