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.

Getting a quote is the first step in your journey! Answer a few questions and wait for one of our Advisors to contact you!

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.

LowQuotes.ie
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Sophie P.
Sophie P.
Had my consultation with colin bailey on the phone and have to say he was amazing with everything, literaly spent an hour out of hes time explanining everything to me in detail to help leave my children set for life if anything were to happen to me, would highly recommend the company
graham D.
graham D.
From the initial application on line to dealing with Rebecca Sharpe on the phone, was seamless. She made applying and understanding the policy an easy transition, thanks for your help Rebecca very much appreciated.
Carolyn D.
Carolyn D.
I was dealing with Conor O'Hare and can't recommend him enough.He went out of his way to help me get the best life insurance, and was always a pleasure to talk with. I'd highly recommend anyone to Conor when looking for life insurance.
Response from the owner: Hey Carolyn,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Conor O’Hare. It’s great to know he was able to explain everything clearly and secure a great deal for your life insurance. We aim to make the process 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
Jenny K.
Jenny K.
I was dealing with Shaun young, I have to say he was amazing,he goes out of his way to find you the perfect fit .he speaks to you in a way that is understandable and honestly I couldn’t recommend him enough ,thank you
Response from the owner: Hey Jenny,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Shaun Young. It’s great to know he was able to explain everything clearly and find the perfect fit for your needs. We aim to make the process 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
yue Z.
yue Z.
Isabel in LowQuotes helps us lots to get our mortgage protection. She helps us find the right product, answers our questions when needed. She also follows up with us at the right time to make sure she’s there when we need her help.
Response from the owner: Hey Yue Zhang,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Isabel. It’s great to know she was able to guide you through your Mortgage Protection, answer your questions clearly, and follow up at the right time to support you.We aim to make the process as smooth and stress-free 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
Robert D.
Robert D.
Dont always trust google reviews myself in general, however i honestly cannot highly recommend these guys enough. We very recently dealt with Colin over a couple phone consultations and he gave us alot of his time to advise & help us navigate throught setting up a Life Insurance policy that was tailored to our family needs both now and planned for long into the future. He was very polite, professional and most importantly a genuine friendly guy which was a huge help as i found this type of cover to be a real minefield. Most of all, we always felt at ease as there was no high sales pressure tactics implied and his honesty and expertise helped us make the right decision. Thanks again, Robert+Debbie.
Response from the owner: Hey Robert and Debbie,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Colin. It’s great to know he was able to take the time to explain everything clearly and tailor your Life Insurance policy to suit your family’s needs, both now and in the future.We always want our clients to feel comfortable and supported, without any pressure, so your feedback really means a lot to us. If you ever have further questions or need assistance down the line, don’t hesitate to reach out.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Fintan M.
Fintan M.
I can't recommend Bernadine highly enough! From our first conversation, she was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly responsive. She took the time to explain all of our options clearly and guided us through every step of the mortgage process with patience and expertise.What really stood out was her ability to find us a fantastic rate and make the entire experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. Communication was top-notch—we always felt informed and supported.If you're looking for a mortgage broker who truly has your best interests at heart, look no further. Bernadine made what could have been an overwhelming process feel easy and even enjoyable. Thank you for helping us secure our dream home!
Response from the owner: Hey Fintan,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Bernadine. It’s great to know she was able to explain everything clearly, keep you informed throughout, and secure such a fantastic rate for your mortgage. We aim to make the process as smooth and stress-free 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
Sinead L.
Sinead L.
Found Colin extremely easy to deal with
Response from the owner: Hey Sinead,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Colin. It’s great to know you found him so easy to deal with, making the process simple and straightforward is exactly what we aim for.If you have any further questions or need assistance in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Roxana-Maria S.
Roxana-Maria S.
We had the pleasure of working with Conor in securing us the best deal for our life insurance (for a house purchase) and he went above and beyond to help us. Very responsive to our questions and changes that we asked for in the policy documents.He managed to get us sorted very fast and I highly recommend him and this company for all your insurance needs!
Response from the owner: Hey Roxana-Maria,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Conor. It’s great to know he went above and beyond to answer your questions, make the adjustments you needed, and secure the best deal for your life insurance. We always aim to make the process fast, clear, and stress-free, 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
Alan O.
Alan O.
Excellent experience. I have never used Low Quotes before. Prices offered were most competitive and process of arranging life cover was seamless. Mail was a pleasure to deal with. Best experience I have had arranging cover on phone. Great Service
Response from the owner: Hey Alan,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Maik. It’s great to know he made the process of arranging life cover seamless and that you found our prices competitive. We aim to make arranging cover over the phone as clear and stress-free 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
Amanda G.
Amanda G.
I had the pleasure of being acquainted with Niamh via low quotes. She was professional, friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. Niamh went above and beyond her duties to ensure I had the best support and mortgage offer. From start to finish, Niamh was diligent and helpful. I would recommend Niamh to anyone who is looking for a mortgage broker who will safeguard their best interests and provide support.
Response from the owner: Hey Amanda,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Niamh. It’s great to know she was professional, friendly, and efficient, while also going above and beyond to secure the best mortgage offer for you. We aim to provide clear guidance and strong support throughout the process, 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
Dominika
Dominika
Isabel was very professional and helpful, we are very happy with the life insurance contract we signed.
Response from the owner: Hey Dominika,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Isabel. It’s great to know she was professional and helpful in guiding you through the process, and that you’re happy with your new life insurance contract.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
xo
xo
Highly recommended! I had help from Isabel, who was always friendly and patient. It took us quite a long time to finally get cover for mortgage protection due to a few health issues, but we got there in the end! She made the process easy, and was constantly calling up whenever there was queries and delays. The whole experience was really good, I was never waiting long for a reply, any time I called she picked up straight away. Took away a lot of the stress associated with struggling to find cover! Thanks a million 🫶🏼
Response from the owner: Hey xo,We’re so pleased to hear about your positive experience with Isabel. Getting mortgage protection in place can sometimes be a longer journey when health factors are involved, but we’re delighted that Isabel’s patience and support made the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.It’s great to know you felt looked after every step of the way, quick responses and clear communication are exactly what we aim for. Thank you so much for recommending us, and we’re thrilled to have helped you secure your cover in the end!Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Ana Caroline S.
Ana Caroline S.
Colin was a pleasure to deal from start to finish, he made everything so simple.He gave us all options and once we made our decision it was all done very fast.I would 100% recommend Colin with no hesitation.
Response from the owner: Hey Ana Caroline,We’re delighted to hear about your experience with Colin! It’s great to know he made everything simple, explained all the options clearly, and ensured the process was completed quickly for you.Thank you so much for your recommendation, it means a lot to us. We’re thrilled Colin could provide such a positive experience from start to finish.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Caroline M.
Caroline M.
I worked with Bernadine who was so diligent and a great resource couldn't recommend enough
Response from the owner: Hey Caroline,We’re so glad to hear about your experience with Bernadine! It’s wonderful to know you found her diligent and such a great support throughout the process.Thank you for your kind words and recommendation, it really means a lot to us. We’re delighted Bernadine could make the experience such a positive one for you.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Christine N.
Christine N.
Wonderful experience dealing with Aoife. Really helpful and professional throughout.
Response from the owner: Hey Christine,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Aoife. It’s great to know she was able to explain everything clearly and support you throughout the process. We aim to make things as smooth and straightforward 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
Patricia M.
Patricia M.
Shaun at low quotes is extremely helpful. He answered all questions and gives great advice to find the right insurance policy for you. Would highly recommend.
Response from the owner: Hey Patricia,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Shaun. It’s great to know he was able to answer all your questions clearly and help you find the right insurance policy. We aim to make the process 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
Emily M.
Emily M.
Excellent service, Aoife was so helpful and informative and made the whole process so easy.
Response from the owner: Hey Emily,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Aoife. It’s great to know she was able to explain everything clearly and make the whole process easy for you. We aim to keep things smooth and stress-free, so your feedback really means a lot! If you need anything in the future, don’t hesitate to get in touch.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
Monica N.
Monica N.
Fantastic service. Got the cheapest quote; so easy to deal with and go through the process for my mortgage protection. Thank you Colin.
Response from the owner: Hey Monica,We’re delighted to hear about your positive experience with Colin. It’s great to know he was able to guide you clearly through the process and secure the best deal for your mortgage protection. We always aim to make things straightforward and stress-free, so your feedback means a lot! If you have any questions in the future, we’ll be here to help.Best Regards,LowQuotes Team
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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. 

Start a Retirement Planning today to have the future of your dreams!

Planning for retirement is a significant milestone. Whether you’re just starting to think about retirement or are already well into your retirement journey, this guide will help you make informed decisions and create a retirement plan that aligns with your financial goals. And it’s totally FREE! Don’t wait, download now!

Your journey towards financial freedom starts here!

After you download your guide, one of our expert Financial Advisors will be in touch shortly to provide you with guidance and further relevant information to build you a customised retirement plan.

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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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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