At One Quote Financial Brokers, we recognise the growing demand for self-directed pension plans in Ireland, particularly among the self-employed, company directors, and small business owners.
The challenge is that many self-directed options require substantial minimum sums to begin trading. Then, on top of that, platform fees, transaction charges, and broker costs—even where you choose execution-only (no investment advice)—can quickly eat into returns compared with more traditional insured pension plans.
But when you step back and consider why you were drawn to the self-directed PRSA route, it usually comes down to a combination of the following factors:
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Access to low-cost investment options, such as ETFs and passive funds.
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The freedom to structure your own pension portfolio.
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A desire to track global indices such as the S&P 500 or MSCI World.
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A belief that most active fund managers rarely outperform index funds.
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24/7 online access to your portfolio and daily NAV.
The good news is that recent offerings from Royal London, Aviva, and New Ireland now provide low-cost execution-only PRSA plans in Ireland, giving you the control you want—without excessive overall charges.
Self-Selected PRSA Plans (Execution-Only)
A newly available option through One Quote Financial Brokers, these plans are set up on an execution-only basis (no ongoing investment advice), but include full long-term administration support.
Key Benefits of Our PRSA Terms:
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100% allocation
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No set-up fees
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No switching fees
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No exit fees
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Minimum contribution: €750 per month
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Annual Management Charge (AMC): 0.75% (inclusive of broker administration)
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Total Expense Ratio (TER): nominal, subject to fund choice
Investment Options with Leading Providers
Royal London – Indexed Funds
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S&P 500 Index Tracker – RL BlackRock US Equity Index Fund
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MSCI World Index Tracker – RL BlackRock Developed World Equity Index Fund
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FTSE EMU Government Bond Tracker – RL BlackRock Euro Government Bond Index Fund
Aviva – Passive & ESG Funds
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Global Equity ESG Passive Fund
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European Equity ESG Passive Fund
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Global Fixed Allocation Equity/Bond Funds
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LGIM Multi-Index EUR V Fund
New Ireland – Indexed & Sector Funds
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MSCI World ex Select Securities Index (hedged)
- MSCI USA Screened Choice Index EUR
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MSCI EMU Screened Choice Index
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MSCI Emerging Markets Screened Choice Index
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State Street IUT Euro Core Treasury 10+ Year Bond Index
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Bloomberg Barclays Euro Aggregate Corporate Total Return Index (EUR)
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Technology Select Sector UCITS ETF
Flexibility and Diversification
With all providers, you can also choose to diversify across a mix of indexed and actively managed funds, including equities, bonds, and multi-asset solutions. Importantly, this can be done without increasing the AMC, although in some cases the TER may be higher.
Key Notes on Passive Investing
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Passive vs. Active Risk – Passive investment funds typically carry lower charges than actively managed funds, but they may expose you to greater downside risk as they cannot adapt to changing market conditions.
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Concentration & Currency Risk – Any single-asset indexed fund carries both concentration and potential currency risk. Professionally managed multi-asset funds—or blending passive and active solutions—can help reduce volatility.
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Behavioural Risk – Recency Bias – Investors sometimes assume that because a low-cost index (such as the S&P 500) has performed strongly in recent years, this will continue indefinitely. This “recency bias” can lead to overexposure at inflated valuations. Diversification is essential for risk management.
Speak to a Pension Specialist
Book your free consultation today:
📞 Ken O’Gorman – Director & Retirement Planning Specialist
One Quote Financial Brokers
Tel: 01 845 0049
✉️ Email: ken@onequote.ie
Or enquire online and tell us how we can help with your self-directed PRSA in Ireland.
Disclaimer
This article does not constitute investment advice and does not take account of your personal circumstances, including your knowledge, experience, or attitude to risk. We recommend seeking professional financial advice before entering any pension planning arrangement.
