If you would like to have control over how your retirement fund is managed, an ARF (Approved Retirement Fund) might be the best option for you.
What is an ARF?
An ARF gives you more control over how your retirement fund is managed. An ARF allows you to remain invested in the market with the ability to control your investment and take a flexible income in retirement. For a full list of the ARF investment funds available from Zurich, please visit our funds page or see our Fund Guide.
How does an ARF work?
An ARF works by allowing you to invest all or part of your pension fund after you retire. You can decide on the type of fund you would like to invest in, and the amount of risk you're comfortable with. With an ARF you can still withdraw from your fund on a regular or ad hoc basis (subject to income tax and USC. PRSI may also apply). But it's worth remembering that since your pension fund is still invested, its value may go down as well as up.
Making the right choice
With so many different plans and options available we all need some help making the decision that's right for us. Thankfully, you're not alone. From pension calculators to financial advisors, there's plenty of help available. Use the ARF or Annuity tool to see which option might be more suitable for you at retirement. There's no right or wrong answer as to which option is better - just which one is better for you (based on the information you provide).
Tools to help you choose
Use the ARF or Annuity tool to see which option might be more suitable for you at retirement. There's no right or wrong answer as to which option is better - just which one is better for you.
Use the Retirement Drawdown Calculator to look at the different options available in retirement. It compares the benefits of investing in an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) with those of an Annuity.
Download
The information contained herein is based on Zurich Life's understanding of current Revenue practice as at January 2024 and may change in the future.