You saw them here first!

For those of you who attended our Knowledge Forum in November 2010, you will remember Niall Harbison of Simply Zesty who spoke to us on 'Building your Brand through Social Media'. It was announced today that Simply Zesty have been acquired by UTV for £1.7 million. We would like to wish Niall and his team the very best of luck for the future. You can read the full article here.

Simply Zesty co-founders Niall Harbison and Lauren Fischer

Our next Knowledge Forum is taking place on Wednesday 14th March at 8.00am in the form of a webinar. The webinar titled 'What the Advisor needs to Know' will cover a 'Pensions Update' by Aidan McLoughlin, Managing Director of Independent Trustee Company and a presentation on 'Adopting your Business in a Changing Market' by Executive Coach John Murphy of John Murphy International.

An application for 1.5 hours of CPD will be made.


There are still a limited number of spaces available, please click on the link below to register.

Lobbying the Oireachtas Committee - Part 4

In the fourth part of our video blog series on the presentation to the Orieachtas, Aidan McLoughlin discusses an innovative idea that would allow early access to tax free lump sums.

Lobbying the Oireachtas Committee - Part 3

In the third part of our video blog series on the presentation to the Orieachtas, Aidan McLoughlin discusses the recent announcement that the government are to review the costs of pensions. Could applying international standards improve the pensions industry?

Lobbying the Oireachtas Committee - Part 2

This is the second of four video blogs where Aidan McLoughlin outlines the main points raised in the presentation to the Oireachtas Committee. Here Aidan outlines the impact that the 4 year plan has had on pensions.

Lobbying the Oireachtas Committee - Part 1

Aidan McLoughlin was part of a group of IBA Committee members who presented to the Oireachtas this week on Wednesday 8th February. Over the coming weeks, we will have a series of video blogs highlighting the main points discussed, the first of which can be viewed here.

Trustee Training Deadline is tomorrow 1st February

As the deadline for Trustee Training is upon us, Trustee Manager, Elma Fox, discusses the last chance to comply with the deadline with Ian Guider on Newstalk's Breakfast Business.

The deadline for trustee training is tomorrow, 1st February 2012, and there is a concern that many due to complete the training are unaware of their obligations. We have developed on-line tools to help define the requirements and to complete the training. More information can be found at www.trustee.ie.

Listen to Elma's interview with Ian Guider here, at 07:56. 

New Years Resolution!

Complete trustee training and avoid €2k fine!

Almost two years ago, the Pensions Board introduced a requirement for all pension scheme trustees to complete trustee training. For any trustees appointed prior to that date they have two years to complete the training so the 1^st February 2012 is the deadline for many.   

The concern is that many who are due to complete the training have not yet done so because of lack of awareness of their obligations. 

3 Common Misconceptions

·      There is an assumption that this training is for bigger pension schemes only but that’s not the case.  If the employer fail to provide training to all the relevant parties they may be prosecuted. In addition a trustee who does not undergo the training may be subject to an on-the-spot fine of €2,000 by the Pensions Board.

·         One or two person company pension schemes where the employer is the trustee.  Many of these employers may not realise they are still officially the trustees of such schemes particularly where the scheme was established for an employee who has since left the company.  However,  the employer remains as the trustee and must comply with the requirements.

·         Directors must receive training even if the scheme is only established for one of them. The key point is that; if the employer is the trustee (as is normal for one person schemes) then ALL the directors must complete the training.

Independent Trustee Company have developed an on-line tool to help those who are unsure of their requirements find out if they are actually required to complete the training.  It’s a quick process and can be found on www.trustee.ie