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The two remaining life assurance companies offering 2 months premiums cash-back for new life assurance and mortgage protection policies will be closing these offers soon. Zurich Life offers a 5% discount instead of the cash-back of two months premiums. This may offer better savings depending on the policy length and premium amount ends on 16th …

This is the unsurprising fact published in today’s Irish Independent that many people are canceling their health insurance as premiums rise. However, by reviewing exactly what they require cover for and shopping around savings can be made. The Health Insurance Authority (an independent organisation) have a website www.hia.ie that allows you to compare health insurance …

NOW is a great time to review your protection as all major life assurance companies are offering two months premium cash back. The cashback offer of 2 months premiums refund for new life assurance and mortgage protection policies is ending soon though. Irish Life, New Ireland and Caledonian Life end their offer on 2nd March …

This is a commentary of the new jobs plan as appeared on www.rte.ie. It appears ambitious to say the least and if this all happens by 2016, based on back of the envelope calculations the government coffers will get quite a boost on taxes earned on these jobs. A minimum of €50m – €160m could …

This is a link to a short video by Aidan McLoughlin (Independent Trustee Company) who recently lobbied the government with the Irish Brokers Association regarding pensions and changes to the pensions regime that might benefit consumers, the industry and the country. Here Aidan outlines the impact that the 4 year plan has had on pensions …

This is a discussion on the sale of mortgage payment protection policies over the last number of years. The Central Bank is investigating whether some policies were mis-sold. Click here for the link to the news at one on RTE 1 radio. If you have any queries on this contact us today at the contact …

Finance Bill 2012 has been published and the main changes outlined in the Budget have been confirmed. The following is a summary. Property relief measures There are two key elements to today’s property relief measures: A 5% USC surcharge on the use of property incentives, and A restriction of property-based capital allowances. 1. USC surcharge …

This is an article on the presentation by the Irish Brokers Association “IBA” to an Oireachtas Committee on the issue of private pension funds.  The IBA also outline the continuing lack of confidence by pension investors regarding the governments plans to maintain the higher rate tax relief to allow individuals to provide for retirement. The …

Good news for those who took out home mortgages in the period 2004 – 2008. The mortgage interest relief for first time buyers who are residing in the property increases to 30% until 2017. According to the Revenue website there is no need for borrowers to do anything. Revenue and the lending institutions will make …

This is the press release by the Central Bank of Ireland on the research conducted on variable mortgage rates in Ireland. Nothing startling in the key findings. It shows the rates for trackers and variable mortgages have diverged quite substantially since 2008.  I think most people on standard variable rates probably knew this anyway! Research …