Unlock Your Pension Early with Expert Advice
If you're a former member of an occupational pension scheme and thinking about early retirement, you may have more options than you realise. Thanks to changes in Irish pension legislation, it's now possible to unlock your pension from age 50 and take greater control over how your retirement savings are accessed and managed. We'll guide you through the process, make sure the numbers work, and explain your options clearly so you can decide what's right for you.
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Who Early Retirement Services Are For
This service is designed for people who have left a company or changed jobs and still have benefits in a previous employer's pension scheme. It may be right for you if you:
Are no longer employed by the company that set up your pension
Are aged 50 or over (or approaching it)
Want to explore retirement before the standard age
Would like to access part of your fund as tax-free cash
Prefer flexible drawdown options rather than a fixed annuity
Need help deciding if moving or unlocking your pension makes sense
If you're asking whether you can unlock your pension early, we'll help you understand your options and avoid costly mistakes.
Not sure if it's time to unlock your pension? Start with a free consultation.
What Is Early Retirement and Why It Matters
Early retirement means accessing your pension benefits before the usual retirement age, typically from age 50 for occupational schemes and from age 60 for personal pensions or PRSAs. If you've left an employer, you may now have the option to:
- Take up to 25% of your pension fund as tax-free cash (within Revenue limits)
- Transfer the remainder to a flexible income arrangement (such as an ARF)
- Control how your fund is invested and drawn down
- Preserve pension wealth for your family
This gives you more freedom over how and when to use the savings you've worked hard for.
Are You Eligible to Unlock Your Pension Early?
Eligibility depends on your age, the type of pension, and whether you're still employed by the company that set it up. You may qualify if:
- You've left a company and have a pension from your time there
- You're at least age 50 (or will be soon)
- Your previous scheme rules allow early access
- You hold a PRSA or personal pension and are approaching age 60
We'll clarify what applies to you, when early access makes sense, and how to avoid any pitfalls.
Watch: Can You Access Your Pension From Age 50?
A short explainer on the rules around taking your pension early.
Can You Access Your Pension From Age 50?
Find out if you're eligible to access your pension early from age 50.
Early Retirement Calculator
Estimate your tax-free lump sum and retirement income
Early Retirement Calculator
Estimate your tax-free lump sum and retirement income
Projections are estimates. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance.
How the Early Pension Access Process Works
Unlocking your pension early doesn't have to be a hassle. Here's how we help:
Step 1 – Initial Call
We listen to your goals, assess your pension type, and confirm whether early access is possible.
Step 2 – We Gather Scheme Info
With your consent, we contact your provider to gather key details like transfer values, benefit options, and scheme rules.
Step 3 – You Receive Clear Guidance
We explain the pros and cons of unlocking now versus waiting, and how options like ARF, AMRF or annuity might work for you.
Step 4 – You Decide, We Handle the Setup
If you decide to proceed, we handle the paperwork, liaise with your provider, and make sure your chosen route is implemented smoothly.
Why Unlocking Your Pension Early Can Be Worth It
Accessing your pension earlier may give you:
Greater Flexibility
Access funds on your terms, rather than waiting for scheme retirement age or buying a fixed annuity.
More Control
Choose how your fund is invested, adjust income over time, and make changes as life evolves.
Potential for Higher Tax-Free Lump Sum
In many cases, up to 25% of your fund can be taken tax-free.
Preserve Wealth
With flexible drawdown, your pension can pass to your spouse or estate instead of ending with an annuity.
Confidence from Tailored Early Retirement Advice
We'll explain the options, outline the trade-offs, and only recommend a transfer or early access if it makes sense for your long-term goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Your Pension Early
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Contact Our Directors
Get personalised pension advice from our experienced team of qualified financial advisors.
Chris McKenzie
CFP® | SIA | QFA
Director
Chris Crowley
PgD | SIA | RPA | FPRA | QFA
Director
Our Core Priorities
The Client Comes First
We are a client focused business, we aim to understand your needs and objectives and deliver based on this. This is at the very core of our business – you are what matters most.
We are Qualified Experts
All our staff are qualified experts and have the technical knowledge and experience to handle all your pension related queries.
We are Real People
We are real people who are here to assist you. We have direct phone numbers and email addresses, and will deal with your enquiry from start to finish.
We are Always Professional in All That We Do
Professionalism is the minimum you can expect from us. We pride ourselves on this and we will deliver for you in a professional manner.
We are Here to Educate You
It is important to us that we educate you so you can make informed decisions. Before we do any business with you we will educate you as to why it is the right choice for you. We want you to understand the decisions you are making.