Financial Services Ireland

Pensions, investments, retirement planning and financial protection

Dooley Insurance Group provides professional financial advice to individuals, families, self employed professionals, company directors and business owners across Ireland.

Our financial services team provides advice across pensions, PRSAs, retirement planning, investments, income protection, life insurance, mortgage protection and business protection.

We begin by understanding your income, existing arrangements, family circumstances and long term goals. We then explain the options available through our agency appointments and help you build a clearer financial plan.

Whether you are starting a pension, investing a lump sum, preparing for retirement or protecting your family and business, Dooleys can help you understand where you stand and what actions may need to be considered.

Arrange a Financial Consultation

What are financial services?

Financial services help individuals and businesses manage, protect and plan their finances.

This can include:

• Pension advice
• Retirement planning
• PRSA advice
• Pension consolidation
• Investment advice
• Income protection
• Life insurance
• Mortgage protection
• Specified illness cover
• Business protection
• Financial planning for company directors
• Financial planning for self employed people

The right combination of services depends on your income, age, family position, business interests, existing financial arrangements and future objectives.

A financial plan should consider how these areas work together rather than treating each product as a separate decision.

Financial planning Ireland

Financial planning is the process of assessing your current position, defining your goals and creating a strategy to help you achieve them.

A complete financial review may consider:

• Current income
• Household expenditure
• Personal and business debts
• Existing pensions
• Savings
• Investments
• Mortgage
• Family responsibilities
• Business ownership
• Income protection
• Life insurance
• Retirement objectives
• Estate and succession considerations

The purpose is to give you a clearer understanding of what you have, where there may be financial gaps and what options may be available.

Pension advice Ireland

A pension can help provide income when regular employment or business earnings stop.

Our pension advice includes:

• Starting a personal pension
• Reviewing an existing pension
• PRSA advice
• Pension contributions
• Employer contributions
• Pension investment funds
• Pension charges
• Pensions from previous employment
• Pension consolidation
• Retirement planning
• Retirement income options

There is no single pension arrangement that is right for everyone.

The most suitable approach depends on your age, income, employment status, existing benefits, intended retirement age and required retirement income.

Explore Pension Advice Ireland

Retirement planning Ireland

Retirement planning helps you understand when you may be able to retire, how much income you are likely to need and how your pensions and other assets could support you.

A retirement plan may bring together:

• Occupational pensions
• Personal pensions
• PRSAs
• Personal Retirement Bonds
• Savings
• Investments
• Property income
• Business assets
• Potential State benefits
• Approved Retirement Funds
• Annuities
• Retirement lump sum options

We help you estimate your retirement expenditure, review projected income and identify whether there may be a gap.

Explore Retirement Planning Ireland

PRSA advice Ireland

A Personal Retirement Savings Account, commonly known as a PRSA, is a flexible pension arrangement available to employees, self employed people, company directors and people who are not currently working.

A PRSA remains in your name and is not tied to one particular employer.

Our PRSA advice includes:

• Starting a PRSA
• Reviewing an existing PRSA
• Personal contributions
• Employer contributions
• Standard and Non Standard PRSAs
• Investment fund selection
• Policy charges
• Additional Voluntary Contributions
• PRSA transfers
• Retirement options

The right PRSA depends on your income, contribution plans, investment preferences, retirement age and need for flexibility.

Explore PRSA Advice Ireland

Pension consolidation Ireland

If you have changed employment during your career, you may have pensions with several schemes or providers.

Pension consolidation involves combining certain pension benefits into one arrangement.

Consolidation may make pensions easier to manage, but it is not automatically the right decision.

Before discussing a transfer, we review:

• Current pension values
• Existing guarantees
• Defined benefits
• Policy charges
• Investment funds
• Transfer values
• Retirement benefits
• Death benefits
• Early retirement options
• Proposed receiving arrangement

An existing pension should not be transferred until the benefits, risks and costs have been assessed.

Explore Pension Consolidation Ireland

Investment advice Ireland

Investing should begin with a clear purpose.

You may want to invest a lump sum, build long term wealth, create an additional source of retirement income or make better use of money currently held on deposit.

Before discussing an investment, we consider:

• Your financial objective
• Investment timeframe
• Access requirements
• Emergency savings
• Attitude to risk
• Capacity for loss
• Existing investments
• Family commitments
• Charges
• Tax considerations

All investments involve risk. The value can rise or fall, and you may receive back less than the amount invested.

We explain the investment options available through our agency appointments and the risks, charges and conditions involved.

Explore Investment Advice Ireland

Income protection Ireland

Income protection can provide a regular replacement income if an eligible illness, injury or disability prevents you from working and you meet the policy conditions.

It can help protect:

• Mortgage repayments
• Household bills
• Family expenditure
• Pension contributions
• Personal savings
• Long term financial plans

Income protection may be particularly important for self employed people, company directors and employees with limited sick pay.

The appropriate policy will depend on your earnings, occupation, employer benefits, required benefit, deferred period and medical history.

Explore Income Protection Ireland

Life insurance Ireland

Life insurance can provide a lump sum to your family, dependants or another nominated recipient if you die during the policy term and the claim is valid.

The payment may help:

• Replace lost household income
• Repay personal debts
• Support dependent children
• Cover education costs
• Meet household expenses
• Protect a spouse or partner
• Provide financial stability

The right amount of life insurance depends on your income, debts, dependants, existing savings and workplace benefits.

Explore Life Insurance Ireland

Mortgage protection Ireland

Mortgage protection is designed to repay the outstanding balance on a mortgage if an insured borrower dies during the policy term and a valid claim occurs.

A mortgage lender will generally require suitable mortgage protection before releasing funds for a principal private residence.

We help first time buyers, home movers and mortgage switchers compare the options available through our agency appointments.

Applications should begin early, particularly where an applicant has an existing medical condition or complex medical history.

Explore Mortgage Protection Ireland

Specified illness cover Ireland

Specified illness cover, also known as serious illness or critical illness cover, can provide a lump sum if you are diagnosed with an illness listed in the policy and meet the insurer’s medical definition.

The payment could be used to:

• Reduce debt
• Replace lost income
• Meet household expenses
• Fund treatment or rehabilitation
• Make changes to the home
• Create an emergency reserve

Specified illness cover does not cover every illness or diagnosis.

The definitions, exclusions, partial payments and additional benefits should be compared carefully.

Explore Specified Illness Cover Ireland

Business protection Ireland

Business protection insurance helps a company prepare financially for the death or serious illness of an owner, shareholder, director, partner or key employee.

Business protection may include:

• Key person insurance
• Shareholder protection
• Partnership protection
• Business loan protection
• Personal guarantee protection
• Executive income protection
• Corporate specified illness cover

The purpose is to protect revenue, cash flow, business ownership, borrowing and long term continuity.

Legal, accounting and tax advice may also be required when structuring shareholder or partnership protection.

Explore Business Protection Ireland

Financial planning for company directors

A company director’s personal finances can be closely connected to the performance and value of the business.

Financial planning for directors may include:

• Director pensions
• Employer PRSA contributions
• Personal investments
• Income protection
• Life insurance
• Specified illness cover
• Key person insurance
• Shareholder protection
• Retirement planning
• Business succession
• Exit planning

The objective is to help directors build personal financial security outside the company while protecting the commercial value created within it.

Explore Financial Planning for Company Directors

Financial planning for self employed people

Self employed people may not have access to employer pensions, sick pay or death in service benefits.

They are responsible for arranging their own retirement and financial protection.

Our financial planning for self employed clients may include:

• Personal pensions
• PRSAs
• Pension tax relief
• Income protection
• Life insurance
• Specified illness cover
• Emergency savings
• Investments
• Retirement planning
• Business succession

The plan should reflect variable income, business expenses, personal commitments and long term objectives.

Explore Financial Planning for Self Employed People

Financial advice for families

A family financial plan should consider what would happen if household income changed unexpectedly.

This may include:

• Life insurance
• Income protection
• Mortgage protection
• Specified illness cover
• Emergency savings
• Pension planning
• Investments
• Education costs
• Long term family goals

The level of protection required will depend on income, debts, number of dependants, existing savings and workplace benefits.

Financial advice for business owners

A business owner may have much of their income and personal wealth connected to one company.

A complete plan should consider:

• Personal pension arrangements
• Retirement income
• Investments outside the company
• Income protection
• Family life insurance
• Key person insurance
• Shareholder protection
• Business borrowing
• Personal guarantees
• Succession planning
• Future business sale

The company may be your largest asset, but it should not be your only financial plan.

Financial advice for people approaching retirement

The years before retirement can involve some of the most important financial decisions you will make.

A pre retirement review can help you understand:

• What pensions you have
• What each pension is worth
• Whether pensions should be consolidated
• When benefits may be accessed
• What income may be available
• Whether a retirement lump sum can be taken
• How an Approved Retirement Fund works
• How an annuity works
• How savings and investments fit into the plan
• Whether the available income may be sustainable

These decisions can have long term financial and tax consequences.

Professional advice should be obtained before accessing pension benefits.

Our financial planning process

1. Understanding your circumstances

We begin by discussing your income, family, employment, business interests, existing arrangements and financial goals.

2. Reviewing what you already have

We assess relevant pensions, investments, savings and insurance policies.

3. Identifying financial gaps

We identify areas where your current arrangements may not support your objectives or protect against an important financial risk.

4. Explaining your options

We explain the relevant financial products and planning actions that may be available.

5. Making a recommendation

Any recommendation is based on the information you provide, your circumstances and the products available through our agency appointments.

6. Implementing the agreed plan

If you decide to proceed, we help arrange the agreed products and provide the relevant information and documentation.

7. Reviewing your progress

Financial planning should be reviewed as your income, family, employment, business and goals change.

Why financial planning matters

Financial planning provides a clearer connection between the money you earn today and the life you want in the future.

Without a structured plan, you may discover that:

• Pension contributions are too low
• Investment risk is unsuitable
• Several pensions remain uncoordinated
• Family life cover is insufficient
• Income is not adequately protected
• Business ownership is exposed
• Retirement income may fall short
• Important financial arrangements have not been reviewed

Planning does not remove every financial risk.

It helps you understand those risks and make more informed decisions.

Meet our financial services team

Conor Swan, QFA, RPA, SIA, BSc Management

Conor Swan is a Director of Dooley Insurance Group and one of the group’s senior financial advisers.

Conor has worked in banking, mortgages, insurance and financial services since 1993.

His experience includes pensions, investments, retirement planning, life insurance, income protection and business protection.

Email: conor@dooleyinsurances.com

Phone: 086 222 0940

David Renwick, QFA, RPA, SIA, PTP, FPRA

David Renwick is a Senior Financial Consultant with Dooley Insurance Group.

David has worked in insurance and financial services since 2000.

His experience includes pensions, PRSAs, savings, investments, retirement planning and financial protection.

Email: david@dooleyinsurances.com

Phone: 086 144 7584

Why choose Dooley Insurance Group?

Dooley Insurance Group is an established Irish brokerage founded in 1957.

We provide financial planning and insurance advice to individuals, families and businesses.

Clients choose Dooleys for:

• Qualified and experienced financial advisers
• Advice across pensions, investments and protection
• Personal and business financial planning
• Access to a wide panel of financial and insurance providers
• Clear explanations
• Ongoing financial reviews
• Personal service
• Claims support
• Offices in Naas and Edenderry
• Long term client relationships

Our role is to help you understand your financial position and make considered decisions based on your circumstances.

Financial advice through our Naas office

Our Naas office serves clients throughout Leinster.

Dooley Insurance Group
6B and 6C Sycamore House
Millennium Park
Osberstown
Naas
County Kildare
W91 K466

Phone: 045 431642

Email: info@dooleyinsurances.com

Financial advice through our Edenderry office

Our Edenderry office supports individuals, families and businesses in Edenderry and across the surrounding Midlands.

Dooley Insurance Group
64 JKL Street
Edenderry
County Offaly
R45 FV02

Phone: 046 973 1218

Email: info@dooleyinsurances.com

Financial services questions

What does a financial adviser do?

A financial adviser assesses your circumstances, financial arrangements and goals before recommending appropriate financial actions or products.

What is included in financial planning?

Financial planning can include pensions, retirement planning, investments, savings, income protection, life insurance and business protection.

When should I speak to a financial adviser?

You may benefit from financial advice when starting a pension, investing money, changing employment, becoming self employed, buying a home, starting a business or approaching retirement.

Can a financial adviser review existing pensions?

Yes. A financial adviser can review pension values, contributions, charges, investment funds, guarantees and retirement options.

Can Dooleys help with pensions from previous jobs?

Yes. We can review the available information and explain whether retaining, transferring or consolidating each pension may be more appropriate.

Does Dooleys provide investment advice?

Yes. We provide investment advice based on your goals, timeframe, access requirements, attitude to risk and capacity for loss.

Does Dooleys provide advice for self employed people?

Yes. We advise self employed clients on pensions, PRSAs, income protection, investments, life insurance and retirement planning.

Does Dooleys advise company directors?

Yes. We provide advice on director pensions, employer PRSA contributions, investments, executive income protection and business protection.

What is income protection?

Income protection can provide a regular replacement income if an eligible illness or injury prevents you from working and you meet the policy conditions.

What is the difference between life insurance and specified illness cover?

Life insurance pays following death during the policy term, while specified illness cover pays following a diagnosis that meets a medical definition listed in the policy.

How much does financial advice cost?

The cost depends on the type and complexity of the advice required. Applicable fees, charges or commission arrangements will be disclosed before you proceed.

What should I bring to a financial consultation?

Recent pension statements, investment information, policy schedules and details of your income and financial commitments can be helpful.

How often should a financial plan be reviewed?

A financial plan should be reviewed regularly and whenever your income, employment, family circumstances, business or goals change.

Arrange a financial consultation

Whether you need pension advice, retirement planning, investment advice or financial protection, Dooley Insurance Group can help you understand your current position and available options.

Contact our financial services team to arrange a consultation.

Naas office: 045 431642

Edenderry office: 046 973 1218

Email: info@dooleyinsurances.com

The information on this page is general and does not constitute personal financial, legal or tax advice. Investments can fall as well as rise, and you may receive back less than the amount invested. Insurance is subject to underwriting, policy definitions, exclusions, terms and conditions. Pension and tax rules may change.

Dooley Insurances Ltd t/a Dooley Insurance & Mortgage Brokers and Dooley Insurance Group is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.