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Rockcourt Financial Services Ltd

Rockcourt Financial Services Ltd

Experts in Public & Private Sector Pensions, Mortgages, Investment & Savings, Overseas Pensions and Income Protection

Saving and investment sentiment in Ireland has improved. The Bank of Ireland’s Savings and Investment Index has returned to pre-pandemic levels. More people are feeling it's a good time to save, and attitudes toward investing have become more positive.Inflation is now at its lowest level in years, with only 18% of people stating it as their top worry. Housing and rent concerns have eased slightly, while worries about global conflicts and recession are rising. The index rose to 94 by the end of 2024, up from 83 in July, showing a growth in confidence. Falling inflation and strong market returns are boosting confidence in saving and investing, with 60% of people saying they need to invest more.Contact Rockcourt Financial Services with all your financial questions and queries. 📱086 0445509 ☎ 094 9638533 📧office@rockcourt.ie ... See MoreSee Less
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A new report from the Pensions Council outlines how much income you'll need for different retirement lifestyles in Ireland:• Comfortable retirement: A single person needs €33,600 annually, and a couple needs €43,200.• Modest retirement: A single person needs €19,200 annually, and a couple needs €28,800. This covers basic expenses with some room for non-essentials.• Moderate retirement: A single person needs €27,600 annually, and a couple needs €37,200. This lifestyle offers more flexibility and financial security.The report acknowledges that "modest", "moderate", and "comfortable" can mean different things to different people and factors like renting in Dublin or healthcare costs can impact these figures.Traditionally, pension advice suggested saving 50% of your pre-retirement salary, but the Pensions Council says this rule is too simplistic. Instead, it’s better to consider your specific lifestyle needs.These figures may include the state pension, which provides a maximum of around €14,400 annually.These amounts are guidelines to help you plan for retirement, based on the cost of living in 2024.Contact Rockcourt Financial Services with all your financial questions and queries. 📱086 0445509 ☎ 094 9638533 📧office@rockcourt.ie ... See MoreSee Less
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House prices rose by 9% in 2024, with the average home price hitting €332,000 in the final quarter of the year. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of rising prices in Dublin, where the average reached €442,909. In cities like Galway, Limerick, and Cork, prices rose between 6-9%, while Leinster saw the biggest increase at 11.1%. The gap between listed and transaction prices is growing, with some areas like Munster seeing a 7.7% difference.The shortage of second-hand homes is a key factor, with listings down 15% year-on-year, the lowest since 2007.While new builds are up, the lack of second-hand homes remains a major challenge. Experts suggest increasing home construction is the key solution to the housing shortage.Contact Rockcourt Financial Services with all your financial questions and queries. 📱086 0445509 ☎ 094 9638533 📧office@rockcourt.ie ... See MoreSee Less
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Starting in January, the changes from the October budget are now in effect, increasing take-home pay and welfare payments for many.Key changes include:• The standard income tax rate cut-off rises by €2,000 to €44,000.• Personal and employee tax credits increase by €125 to €2,000.• The 4% USC rate is reduced to 3%, with adjustments to keep pace with the minimum wage increase to €13.50/hour.• Rent tax credits rise by €250 to €1,000 for private tenants.In addition, over €1 billion in social protection increases have taken effect, including a €12 weekly rise for pensioners, carers, and people with disabilities.While these changes provide some relief, some argue they fall short of addressing rising living costs.Contact Rockcourt Financial Services with all your financial questions and queries. 📱086 0445509 ☎ 094 9638533 📧office@rockcourt.ie ... See MoreSee Less
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Will 2025 leave us richer or poorer? Here’s what could impact your money in the year ahead:1. Pensions: Ireland's auto-enrolment scheme will automatically enrol workers into pensions. If you’re not already contributing, this could mean a small drop in your take-home pay.2. Amazon: Ireland will get its own Amazon website in 2025, improving the shopping experience and boosting local business. Expect better delivery times and options!3. Trump's Tariffs: If Trump reintroduces tariffs, it could lead to higher prices on American goods, affecting consumers here.4. Energy: Energy prices are still high, and with VAT and carbon tax hikes, bills are likely to stay elevated, even if wholesale prices fall.5. Mortgages: Rates are expected to keep dropping in 2025, especially for tracker customers and those with high-interest loans.6. Savings: With falling interest rates, it’s a good idea to lock in higher savings rates while you can. Don’t let your money sit in low-interest accounts.7. Health Insurance: Health premiums will rise, but with a new insurer entering the market, there could be more competition to keep prices in check.8. Communications: Broadband, mobile, and TV prices are expected to increase. But by switching providers you could avoid some of these increases.Make smart financial choices in 2025 to stay ahead.Contact Rockcourt Financial Services with all your financial questions and queries. 📱086 0445509 ☎ 094 9638533 📧office@rockcourt.ie ... See MoreSee Less
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