• Why retirement is less a maths problem and more a human challenge.
• The dangers of the “blank canvas” problem and why day 182 of retirement can be the most difficult.
• Dan’s five pillars of a thriving retirement: purpose, identity, relationships, structure, and wellbeing.
• The concept of memory planning—turning money into meaningful experiences rather than just numbers on a page.
• Why modern retirees are “first-generation retirement rebels” and how to overcome the fear of spending after decades of saving.

Disclaimer

The content of this site including blogs and podcasts is for information purposes only. Everybody’s financial situation is different and the content we share on our site and through podcasts may not be applicable to you.

The articles, blogs and podcasts are not investment advice. They do not take account of your individual circumstances, including your knowledge and experience and attitude to risk. Informed Decisions can’t be held responsible for the consequences if you pursue a course of action based on the information we share

In our last podcast, we celebrated Fran's incredible achievement of amassing a €2 million pension pot through decades of disciplined saving and investing.

Some who read it were inspired, some were envious, and others said "I don't bloody need €2m pension pot"!

Today, we're asking a different question entirely: Do I actually need a €2 million pension pot to retire comfortably?

And you'll see why I suggest the following are appropriate pension pots to fund a 'comfortable' retirement lifestyle;

• c€500k if you plan to retire in your mid 60's
• c€1m if you would like to retire in your mid 50's

‍These may seem like a luxury questions, but are the most important aspects in our retirement planning in Ireland.

Because here's the truth: knowing how much you need to spend in retirement is key to knowing how much you need to save for your pension pot Ireland.

Disclaimer: Seek professional advice before taking any course of action.

Today, we’re diving into the real-life(ish) story of Fran – a regular guy who built a €2 million+ pension pot and retired at 55.

No big lotto win.
No magic investment hacks.
Just smart use of Ireland’s pension system, discipline, and a few skipped car upgrades!

Fran started young, contributed consistently, and maximised every bit of tax relief and employer matching he could get his hands on. He invested for growth, kept his cool through market crashes, and stuck to the plan. Over 30 years, a €350,000 net contribution turned into a €2 million pension pot.

We walk through:
• Exactly how Fran built that pot
• How he drew income tax-efficiently from 55 onwards
• How he used the ARF to stay flexible and keep control
• And how he left a legacy worth millions – without giving half of it to Revenue

If you're working in Ireland and want financial independence on your own terms, Fran’s journey is a blueprint worth paying attention to.

No fluff, no jargon – just a straight-talking guide to building your future wealth and freedom.

Let’s dive in and see what we can learn from Fran’s €2M success story.

I hope it helps.

Disclaimer

The content of this site including blogs and podcasts is for information purposes only. Everybody’s financial situation is different and the content we share on our site and through podcasts may not be applicable to you.

The articles, blogs and podcasts are not investment advice. They do not take account of your individual circumstances, including your knowledge and experience and attitude to risk. Informed Decisions can’t be held responsible for the consequences if you pursue a course of action based on the information we share