PRSAs

PRSAs (Personal Retirement Savings Accounts) were introduced to the Irish market in 2003. In an attempt to increase pension coverage, the Pensions Board (http://www.pensionsboard.ie) decided to introduce a retirement savings account that would entice the lower paid and self- employed to start making some pension provision for themselves. The intention was for PRSAs to supplement any State Retirement Benefits that would be payable in years to come.

The Product

There are two types of PRSAs, Standard and Non-Standard. The "Standard PRSA" has a legal cap on charges. The maximum annual management charge is 1% and the maximum charge on each contribution is 5%. There can be no other charge applied to the setting up of a PRSA, unless it forms part of an overall financial review. In this case, a fee may be charged for the advice given. The Non-Standard PRSA can have charges higher than those stated for a Standard PRSA.

A consumer can purchase a PRSA with or without advice. If the consumer does not need advice on the product or in selecting investment funds, they can but a PRSA on an 'Execution Only' basis. The reward for the consumer in electing for this method of purchase is that they can buy the product without the 5% contribution charge.

The PRSA product can also be used to supplement existing pension funding by making AVCs (Additional Voluntary Contributions) to the main pension scheme available through employment.

Payment

The minimium contribution to a PRSA is €10 per month. This can be paid by salary deduction or through the contributors own bank account. If the contribution is deducted from salary, then any Tax and PRSI(Pay Realated Social Insurance)Reliefs are applied at source so that the payments are made on a nett basis.

If payments are made from the contributors bank account,then any Tax or PRSI Reliefs that may be due would have to be applied for 'manually' through Revenue. Tax Relief and PRSI Relief are dealt with by two separate section of Revenue. There is a 'PRSI Refund Section' in Sarsfield House, Limerick (www.revenue.ie for contact details). Tax relief can be claimed by writing to your local tax office by quoting your tax reference number and including a PRSA1 Certificate.

Employers Obligations

Employers have to offer their employees the facility to put in place, at least one Standard PRSA in situations where:

i)There is no pension scheme currently in place ii)Some employees are excluded from the existing pension scheme iii)The waiting period for membership of the existing scheme is more than 6 months iv)The current pension scheme rules do not allow employees to make AVCs

Employers are not obliged to to make contributions to an employees PRSA

Funds

The PRSA contributor can select a single fund or combination of of funds from those provided by each of the PRSA Providers. They can also elect to choose a 'Default Investment Strategy' which is designed to fulfil the reasonable expectations of a typical investor.

Death before Normal Retirement

The full value of the PRSA fund, without liability to income tax, is paid to the PRSA holders estate. Inheritance Tax may apply to the fund. The PRSA fund assets can be used to provide a pension for a spouse.

Tax

There are certain Revenue limits that apply to the maximum contribution that can be made in any one tax year. These are dependent on the age of the contributor and their earnings (defined as net relevant earnings).

The Tax Relief available on contributions are granted at the contributors highest marginal rate of tax. For example, if an employees highest rate of income tax is 41% and they also pay PRSI of 6%, the nett cost on a contribution of €100 would be €53.

Any investment growth accumulates free of tax.

You are entitled to 25% of your accumulated fund at retirement, tax-free. The balance of the fund would be subject to the income tax rates prevalent at the date of retirement.

At Retirement

Most PRSA contributors would elect to take 25% of their fund tax-free. If they do this the can either buy an Annuity with the balance, invest in an ARF (Approved Retirement Fund) or a combination of both.

You can continue to contribute to a PRSA up to age 75, but you must then transfer your PRSA assets to an Annuity or ARF at 75.

Technical Guide - http://www.prsas.ie/downloads.htm

Irish Revenue - http://www.revenue.ie/index.htm?/leaflets/it14a.htm

Irish Pensions Board - http://www.pensionsboard.ie/index.asp?locID=40&docID=-1