Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC)

Most commonly known as Pension top-ups, AVCs allow you to boost your pension savings beyond mandatory contributions, enhancing retirement income and securing a more comfortable financial future.

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What is an AVC?

Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) are tax-efficient extra payments you can make in addition to your existing pension. Whether you started your pension later in life, or have extra cash to put away, an AVC is a pension option for you. When you retire, you can use the money you invested into an AVC to buy additional pension benefits you want.

What are the advantages of AVCs?

Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) are discretionary payments individuals can make to supplement their pension savings beyond regular contributions to workplace or personal pension schemes. AVCs offer flexibility, allowing individuals to enhance their pension pot by contributing additional funds, providing financial security for retirement. These contributions are voluntary, empowering individuals to decide the amount and frequency of payments based on their financial situation. Moreover, AVCs may offer tax efficiency, potentially reducing overall tax liability through qualifying contributions. This flexibility and potential for increased retirement income make AVCs valuable for optimizing pension planning and ensuring a comfortable retirement.

With AVCs, you have control over your investment, enabling you to adjust contributions according to your evolving needs. Whether increasing, decreasing, stopping, or restarting contributions, this adaptability ensures your investments align with changing priorities. Eligibility for an AVC Plan typically arises upon becoming a member of your employer’s Superannuation Scheme, with contributions subject to Revenue-set limits and a minimum monthly contribution of €75 (or equivalent).

Tax Relief

Investing in an AVC allows you to benefit from tax relief on your investments,  For example: If your marginal rate of tax is 40% and you invest €100, the actual cost to you is €60 as you get 40% (€40) in tax relief. This makes it much more tax efficient compared to a savings account as you can also maximise your tax-free lump sum on retirement.

Retire Early

Every investment you make into your AVC will grow your Pension fund, gaining you closer to your ideal estimated fund value. Meaning you could be retiring sooner than you think. The state pension retirement age is ever increasing, why not personally take control of when you retire?

Flexibility

flexibility to modify your Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) at your discretion. You can increase, decrease, stop, or restart your AVC contributions as needed. This adaptability allows you to align your pension strategy with changing financial circumstances, ensuring that you have control over the level of contributions based on your preferences, life events, or evolving priorities. 

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LowQuotes.ie
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navi R.
navi R.
Ross is the best broker I have ever encountered. He gave his 100% effort and is incredibly helpful. Truly highly recommend! The company must double this guy’s salary.
Mark C.
Mark C.
I can’t speak highly enough of the service Colin provided and the extremely courteous nature in which he did so. Getting mortgage protection is another obstacle cleared in securing my first home. I’m doing this process alone and am unfamiliar with many of the stages involved but Colin made this step incredibly easy. He walked me through everything and made it so I understood the whole application. I can’t thank Colin enough and would be more than happy to highly recommend Colin and team to others.
Sharon M.
Sharon M.
Rebecca was absolutely fantastic to deal with. She was super easy to communicate with, very informative and really assisted me in getting the most suitable policy for my needs. Brilliant service. Thanks Rebecca
Suraj G.
Suraj G.
A very special thanks to Aoife Morgan at LowQuotes for getting me the best Mortgage protection insurance policy. She was kind and patient throughout the process. A big thank you to you once again. Best Wishes.
Anne Marie E.
Anne Marie E.
I got a quote from LowQuotes on Friday. Ross rang me within half an hour and went through everything with me. He explained everything really clearly and was really personable. He made the experience of getting life insurance very easy.
Ali
Ali
Very easy to apply thank you so much!!!
Sinead K.
Sinead K.
Dylan was a pleasure to deal with today, so knowledgeable & extremely helpful. He made the whole process so easy. I am really happy with the policy cover I got.
Laura S.
Laura S.
Aoife Morgan was a pleasure to deal with and made the process so smooth. She also dealt with everything from start to finish very efficiently.
Response from the owner: Hey Laura,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Aoife Morgan. It’s great to know she made the process smooth and handled everything efficiently from start to finish. We aim to make insurance as easy and stress-free as possible, so your feedback really means a lot to us!If you have any further questions or need assistance in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Emma M.
Emma M.
A wonderful service, thorough and clear. I dealt with Rebecca, who was fantastic. The perfect mix of professional knowledge and courtesy with genuine warmth. Highly recommend her services!!!
Response from the owner: Hey Emma,We’re thrilled to hear about your wonderful experience with Rebecca. It’s fantastic to know she delivered a thorough and clear service with the perfect blend of professionalism and genuine warmth. We really appreciate your kind words and recommendation!If you ever need anything else, we’re just a call away.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Yunus Ü.
Yunus Ü.
Great service , low price
Response from the owner: Hey Yunus,Thanks a lot for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear you were happy with the service and the price. We work hard to offer the best value without compromising on quality, so your feedback means a lot to us. If you ever need anything else or have questions in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Emma W.
Emma W.
Great experience with Ross who was patient with us as we figured out what plan worked best for us. We really appreciated his advice and his patience. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner: Hey Emma,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Ross. It’s great to know he was patient and supportive as you worked through your options. We’re so glad his advice helped you find the right plan. That’s exactly what we aim for!If you ever need anything else or have more questions down the line, we’re always here to help.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Jonathan F.
Jonathan F.
Dealt with Ross, he was incredibly helpful and informative and made the process easy from the start.
Response from the owner: Hey Jonathan,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Ross. It’s great to know he was able to explain everything clearly and make the process easy from the very beginning. We aim to make the journey as smooth and understandable as possible, so your feedback means a lot to us!If you have any further questions or need assistance in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Dee H.
Dee H.
Rebecca was wonderful. And got a policy I was very happy with
Response from the owner: Hey Dee,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Rebecca. It’s great to know she was wonderful and helped secure a policy you’re happy with. We always aim to match our clients with the best possible cover, so your feedback is much appreciated!If you ever need anything else or have any questions, feel free to get in touch.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Ann D.
Ann D.
Excellent communication. Explained everything very clearly. Lovely customer service
Response from the owner: Hey Ann,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with our team. It’s great to know everything was explained clearly and that you received excellent communication and lovely customer service, that’s exactly what we aim for!If you have any questions in the future or need further assistance, we’re just a message away.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
John K
John K
I have had a very rewarding experience dealing with Low Quotes. Rebecca Sharpe was my point of contact, and she was always prompt, professional and helpful. Vast knowledge of the business and the options to me to get me the best life cover policy, as well as answer my never ending questions and concerns. The process was effortless. Thanks JK
Response from the owner: Hey John,We’re thrilled to hear about your rewarding experience with Rebecca! It’s fantastic to know she was prompt, professional, and able to guide you through the process with such expertise. Life Insurance can raise lots of questions, and we’re so glad she made it effortless for you.If you need anything else down the line, don’t hesitate to reach out.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Sandra W.
Sandra W.
Shaun was very informative and helpful
Response from the owner: Hey Sandra,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Shaun. It’s great to know he was informative and helpful throughout the process. We aim to make everything as clear and straightforward as possible, so your feedback means a lot to us!If you have any further questions or need assistance in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Gráinne M.
Gráinne M.
I would like highly recommend Bernadine and Low Quotes for anyone seeking professional mortgage assistance. From start to finish, our experience working with Bernadine was exceptional. We recently secured our mortgage through her, and I can confidently say that her advice, skills, and expertise were outstanding and made a significant difference in the entire process. Bernadine demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the mortgage market, guiding us through complex options with clarity and patience.Her professionalism and attention to detail ensured that everything was handled efficiently and smoothly, which made what can often be a stressful process much more manageable and even enjoyable. Bernadine’s efficiency was second to none; she was always prompt, organized, and proactive in communicating updates and answering our questions. Thanks to her, we were able to secure a mortgage that we are really happy with, and she worked tirelessly to find us the best possible deal.We are genuinely grateful for the time and effort she invested in helping us. Her friendly yet professional approach made us feel valued and supported throughout the entire process. I would highly recommend Bernadine and Low Quotes to anyone looking for expert mortgage advice and exceptional service. Her dedication and expertise truly set her apart, and we are so appreciative of all she did for us.
Response from the owner: Hey Gráinne,Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and detailed review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear about your positive experience with Bernadine. Her expertise, dedication, and genuine care truly make a difference, and we’re so glad she helped make your mortgage journey smooth and even enjoyable.Securing the right mortgage can be a stressful process, so it’s fantastic to know Bernadine guided you through it with such clarity and professionalism. We’ll be sure to pass along your lovely feedback to her, she’ll be thrilled!If you need any further support down the line, we’re always here for you.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
G S (.
G S (.
Quick, easy, straightforward, concise and helpful. If you are considering life insurance, give Colin a call.
Response from the owner: Hey G S,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Colin. It’s great to know you found the process quick, easy, and helpful. We aim to make life insurance as straightforward and stress-free as possible, so your feedback means a lot! If you have any further questions or need assistance in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Shane C.
Shane C.
Would just like to say a massive thanks to Bernadine who helped me and my fiancé get our mortgage protection, the whole process was quick and easy. Will definitely recommend to friends and family.A true professionalThanks again Bernadine
Response from the owner: Hey Shane,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Bernadine. It’s great to know she made the process of getting mortgage protection quick and easy for you and your fiancé. We aim to make everything as smooth and straightforward as possible, so your kind words mean a lot! If you or your friends and family need any assistance in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
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What are my investment options?

This is entirely your own choice and dependent on your risk profile, it is usually invested in a range of unit linked funds. You’ll have access to a wide range of different assets with varying degrees of risk, so you’ll be sure to find a solution that works for you.

Retirement options with AVCs.

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Your Questions Answered

We’re living longer than previous generations. Upon retirement, on average we will have 20-30 years of retirement. A pension plan will make sure you’re financially sound for these years. Whether you wish to travel, retire to the country, or spend time with your children & grandchildren.

The amount you will receive per month entirely depends on how much you’re willing to pay per month, the length of time you’ve been making contributions, the type of pension plan and its investment return. You can also choose to receive a lump sum upon retirement or not.

As of today, the State Contributory Pension is about €240 per week. For most people, during their 20-30 years of retirement, this simply isn’t enough. When you pay into a pension plan, you will receive both the state pension (If available to you) and your Pension Plan.

Tax relief reduces the actual cost of your pension. You do not have to pay tax on money that you put into a personal pension (This falls within the limits set out below). This is calculated at the highest rate of tax you pay (Currently 20% / 40%)

Example:
Monthly contribution = €100
Tax Relief (40%) = €40
Cost to you = €60

Warning: Past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance.      

Warning: The value of your investment may go down and up.      

Warning: If you invest in this product, you will not have any access to your money until you retire.   

Warning: If you invest in this product, you may lose some or all of your investment.     

Warning: This product may be affected by changes in currency exchange rates. 

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Coronavirus Covid 19 Information

We would like to assure our customers that although this Worldwide Pandemic has struck our Nation hard, we are still here for our new and existing customers. All phone calls and emails will be dealt with accordingly.

In the unfortunate circumstance that a customer contracts COVID-19 and dies, our life policies would pay out in line with our usual claims philosophy.

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