FAQ

Informed Decisions Financial Planning is a small firm, is my money safer with a bigger firm?

All our client funds are held in safe custody with the very same global custodian that many of the countries biggest investment and pension providers use, Pershing. They are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and are a subsidiary of the Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.

Do you work on your own?

We are a team of 3 currently; Paddy as the main advisor and point of contact with clients. Siún and Aoife support all other aspects of our firm across operations, client administration, compliance and client service. We hire a number of consultants for specialist regulatory, investment and protection services. We keep our firm lean and efficient, just as we do our investment approaches! Our clients receive a personal and valuable service, we are not a high-volume 'conveyor belt' advice firm.

How are you different to the norm, really?

Under new Central Bank guidelines only a firm that does not have any commission arrangements can call themselves ‘Independent’. Informed Decisions Financial Planning is Independent, and is on your side.

How are you paid?

Clients can choose to pay for our services via a monthly standing order, but most opt to pay via their investment and pension assets we help them with. This way there is no VAT payable, is tax efficient re taxable gains and is less of an administrative headache for all.

Isn’t paying a fee to an advisor like you dearer than a traditional advisor?

It would be easy to think so! Clients usually pay a lot less (€2,000-€8,000 per year) with our model. We typically help clients reduce the total costs of their investments and pensions by 20-50%. As well as reduced costs we also offer better service than they were receiving. Win-win.

What do you do for your fee?

We become your go-to advisor for all aspects of your personal finance, your one source of truth and counsel. For that reason we work with a select number of valued clients, and we work closely with them over the long term. In addition to our full-life holistic financial planning, investment management, pension and investment structure gate-keeper, pension draw-down planning, access to our expert network at discounted rates, tax planning and saving you a bunch of time, worry and hassle. We believe we offer superb value for money, usually at lower or similar total costs than you are already paying for your structures. Win-Win.

What does the Informed Decisions MasterPlan contain?

The Informed Decisions MasterPlan™ will help you 'clear the fog'. and have clarity and confidence about your financial future. It contains a detailed analysis and clarity on your current financial plans and probable outcomes. We will then detail the best courses of action needed for you to achieve optimum results. Finally, we will outline how we can work together to put in place the very best strategy for your to achieve your most cherished financial goals. In simple language, it shows you how to capitalise on the biggest opportunities available to you, how to save money, make money, and achieve the results you want.

What if I am not fully satisfied with your services?

A client is free to move to another firm at any time. There are no lock-in periods or exit penalties on any structures we use (as there are no commissions involved!). Indeed, if one did need or want to move from us, we will help you to do so. There are no penalties, restrictions or clauses if you wish to do so.

You look quite young; how can you know much about retirement planning?

I am blessed to sometimes look younger than I am, depending on the angle! Being in my mid-40’s, I have been working with those approaching and in retirement for almost 20 years now, and love what I do. There isn't much I have not seen and helped people with. If there is, I will always ensure we get the right answer before acting.

Do you hold my investments and pensions?

Never. Your money is in safe custody with Pershing, as set out by ‘Central Bank Client Asset Regulation’. This regulation outlines how client’s assets are to kept and segregated for their protection. Your money is kept as safely as we know how. Here is the full Central Bank legislation detailing how your funds are protected.

I’ve never invested via a platform, is it safe?

The platform does not hold your assets. It allows us access the proven and effective funds that we decide on together. The platform also allows you track and monitor your investment performance, it does not hold your funds.

Do you only work with clients that invest €1m or more?

Mostly yes. However, on occasion we do help clients develop their MasterPlan only, where they do not subsequently invest any assets. The fee for this is typically c€5k. However, in our experience, those with significant funds invested with us achieve better outcomes and get better value than those that invest elsewhere.

What is your process for selecting investment funds?

In conjunction with experts, we complete a detailed analysis and comparison to determine the optimum solutions from a performance, security, cost and diversification perspective. We cross-reference this analysis on an on-going basis and use external consultants to ensure our clients get access to the right funds.

What is your track record?

Most clients we work with are quite heavily invested in the only asset-class to have delivered the most favorable returns over the long term. We do not try to predict the markets, we take a planful approach to selecting your funds, and we stick to the plan. Thanks to that, and the cost-effective approach we use, clients have faired considerably better than many of their peers. As an example, to April 2024 (mid-tariff-hysteria in the U.S) an 80/20 Equity/Bond portfolio has delivered c240% since March 2011, which is c9.8% annualised gross return. The future could be very different, you can get back less than you invest and your capital is at risk in such portfolios, but this approach has worked for many investors since investing began.

What happen if you die?

It will happen eventually! Informed Decisions does not hold your assets. They are in safe custody, separate to our firm. If I die or if Informed Decisions ceased to exist for any reason, will have direct access to your funds, and either remain invested as you are or move to another firm or move to an insurance company scheme etc. There would be no impact or penalty to you.

If I have missed any important question here please feel free to contact me.

Important Documents

We encourage you to select an advice firm that is both qualified and authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland to provide prudent financial advice. Here is some of our details

Why Choose Informed Decisions Why Choose Informed Decisions

Central Bank of Ireland Authorisation Central Bank of Ireland Authorisation

Qualifications Qualifications

Questions to Ask Any Advice Firm Questions to Ask Any Advice Firm

Professional Indemnity Professional Indemnity

Terms of Business Terms of Business

informed decisions

Frequently Asked Questions

Important Documents

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