In  episode 333 of the Informed Decisions Podcast, Paddy speaks with Glen Gaughran, Director and Head of Business Development at Independent Trustee Company (ITC). With nearly two decades of experience overseeing thousands of self-administered pension schemes, Glen offers insight into how the pension environment in Ireland is evolving and what individuals and business owners need to know.

We explore the significant regulatory changes impacting Irish pensions, including the closure of executive and single-member schemes under the IORP II directive. Glen explains how the government’s temporary relaxation of funding rules for PRSAs in 2023 and 2024 offered a window of opportunity; allowing employers to contribute well beyond traditional limits, and how that door has since closed in January 2025, when contributions became capped at an individual’s salary level.

We also compare PRSAs and Master Trusts from a planning and tax perspective, highlighting the trade-offs between contribution limits, inheritance outcomes, and drawdown flexibility. It’s an essential discussion for business owners trying to optimise their pension funding while avoiding tax traps and regulatory missteps.

Key Insights

- Regulatory changes have ended executive one-member schemes, pushing attention toward PRSAs and Master Trusts.

- In 2023–2024, PRSAs allowed virtually unlimited employer contributions, making them highly attractive for late-stage funding.

- As of January 2025, employer contributions to PRSAs are capped at 100% of salary, significantly reducing flexibility.

- Master Trusts still allow actuarial-based contribution limits based on salary and years of service, offering an alternative path.

- PRSAs allow the full pension value to be inherited on death, while Master Trusts may require most of the fund to be used to purchase an annuity.

- Strategic planning around salary levels, timing, and long-term drawdown goals is now essential for maximising pension efficiency.

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I hope it helps

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