At One Quote Financial Brokers, we recognise the growing demand for self-directed and execution-only pension plans in Ireland, particularly among executives, owner directors and the self-employed.
However, there are real challenges when it comes to securing fair and transparent charges in this space, and many self-directed options also require substantial minimum accumulated sums before trading can begin.
Then, on top of that, platform fees, transaction charges, and broker costs—even when you choose execution-only (no investment advice)—can quickly eat into returns when compared with more traditional insurance company provider pension plans.
For high net worth business owners, it’s also worth noting that higher-cost Self-administered pensions (for those wanting direct property holdings – soon max 50%) are proving less popular given their rising regulatory costs and upcoming property holding restrictions.
So, while One Quote Financial Brokers does not currently offer Self-directed Pension trading platforms, we do seek to cater for this demand through the provision of:
- Self-selected – low-cost fund based – Non-Standard PRSAs
Low-Cost PRSA Execution-only Service
Most advisers in the market charge up to 1.50% AMC for full investment advice and long term administration support, but for those confident and knowledgeable enough to handle their own investment decisions, by choosing our execution-only service, you can reduce your annual fund charges as follows.
AMC from 0.50% PA
We charge a one-time setup fee of €1,200 (no VAT) for clients contributing €500 or more per month. This fee covers the complete implementation of your PRSA, including fund selection, insurer platform setup, and administrative handling — with no ongoing fees. This is particularly popular with small business owners as the fee is a business expense.
AMC from 0.70% PA
With no setup or ongoing broker fee for clients contributing €1,000 or more per month. This service covers the complete implementation of your PRSA, including fund selection, insurer platform setup, and administrative handling.
Why execution-only might work for you
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Compared with other advice-based PRSAs, where 100% allocation is granted, they typically charge up to 1.50% AMC, our execution-only service significantly reduces annual charges.
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Higher charges directly reduce investment returns over time, meaning more of your money stays invested for growth rather than being eaten up by fees.
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This is an execution-only service, so you remain fully in control of your investment choices.
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If you ever want professional investment advice in the future, it can be provided on a fee basis.
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Self-directed Pension Options – For Business Owners
When you step back and consider why you are drawn to the self-directed pension route in building up a strong pension pot, it often 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 investments/assets.
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A possible desire to track global indices such as the S&P 500 or MSCI World.
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Wanting access to both leading passive and active multi-asset 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 allow for low-cost Execution-only PRSAs, giving you broad fund access and control – without excessive solution charges.
Note:
Please bear in mind, that selecting your own asset allocation takes significant knowledge and experience and diversification among asset types is key to risk management, even over longer term pension investment journeys.
Self-Selected PRSA Plans (Execution-Only) – No Direct Fee
100% Allocation
AMC from 0.70% PA – Minimum Contribution levels apply.
Primarily aimed at executives aged under 55 and with 10 years plus to retirement, a newly available option through One Quote Financial Brokers, these plans are set up on an execution-only basis.
Key Benefits:
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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: €1,000.00 per month (Gross before tax-relief)
- Minimum lump sum, where applicable: €25,000
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Annual Management Charge (AMC): from 0.70% passive, or 0.75% actively managed funds.
Passive Investment Options with Leading Providers
New Ireland – Indexed & Sector Funds
Passive Equity Options:
- World Index Fund (Hedged) – MSCI World ex Select Securities Index (hedged)
- North American Equity Indexed – MSCI USA Screened Choice Index EUR
- Eurozone Equity Indexed Fund – MSCI EMU Screened Choice Index
- State Street Global Emerging Markets – MSCI Emerging Markets Screened Choice Index
- Technology Indexed Fund – Technology Select Sector UCITS ETF
Passive Bond Options:
- BNY Mellon Absolute Return Bond Fund
Royal London – Indexed Funds
Value share bonus units also apply.
Passive Equity Options:
- BlackRock – Developed World Equity Index Fund – MSCI World Index
- BlackRock – US Equity Index Fund – MSCI European Index
- BlackRock – Europe ex UK Equity Index Fund – MSCI Europe ex UK Index
- BlackRock – Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund – JP Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified
Passive Bond Options:
- BlackRock – Euro Government Bond Index Fund – FTSE EMU Government Bond Index
- BlackRock – Euro Government Inflation Linked Bond – BBG Barc Euro Index
- BlackRock – Emerging Markets Local Government Bond Index Fund – JP Morgan Index
Aviva – Passive & ESG Funds
Passive Equity Options
- Global Equity ESG Passive Fund – MSCI World Index
- European Equity ESG Passive Fund – MSCI Europe Index
- Aviva Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund – MSCI Emerging Markets Index
Equity/Bond Funds
- Aviva Fixed ESG 80 – Equity Bond Split 80/20
- Aviva Fixed ESG 60 – Equity Bond Split 60/40
- Aviva Fixed ESG 40 – Equity Bond Split 40/60
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.
Note:
We highly recommend blending your chosen providers funds to include both active and passive funds, this is particularly important to allow access to both corporate and government bonds alongside your equity selections.
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 smart risk management and typically leads to better long average annualised returns and investment outcomes.
The Alternative to Execution-only
The benefits of long-term retained advice and risk management
This article is of course aimed that those focused on execution-only pension investing. But its worth pointing out, that for those who may consider retained investment advice, the added cost will depend on contribution size, and term to retirement.
€1,000.00 PM gross, is needed to secure fully retained investment risk management and administration services based on an AMC of 1.00% PA, whereas a €500.00 PM gross, results in an AMC of 1.25% PA.
Non-Standard – Retained Advisory PRSA
Key Benefits:
- 100% allocation
- No set-up fee
- No switching fees
- Maximum provider choice
- Maximum fund choice
- Investment risk assessment
- Presentation of optional providers and portfolios
- Annual performance reviews
- Annual asset rebalancing
Getting in Touch
If choosing to contact us, seeking an Execution-only PRSA, you must clearly outline your intended regular month contribution level, as well as lump sum level where applicable. We cannot respond to, confirm terms, or arrange any such business without these details.
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-selected PRSA in Ireland.
Minimum Contributions
AMC levels vary depending on whether a direct fee is paid and if retained or execution-only:
Execution-only
- Min regular monthly PRSA at €500.00 to secure execution-only at: 1.00% AMC.
- Min regular monthly PRSA at €1,000.00 to secure execution-only from 0.70% AMC.
- A direct fee of €1,200.00 applies to secure an execution-only AMC from 0.50% AMC.
Retained Support & Risk Management
- Min regular monthly PRSA at €500.00 to secure an advice PRSA: 1.25% AMC.
- Min regular monthly PRSA at €1,000.00 to secure as advice PRSA at 1.00% AMC.
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.
