
Pension term assurance is a type of life insurance that's specifically designed for people with a pension plan.
This type of insurance provides a guaranteed payout to your loved ones if you pass away during the term of the policy, which is typically tied to the length of your pension plan.
The payout is usually tax-free, which can help your beneficiaries make the most of the money.
The key benefit of pension term assurance is that it can help protect your pension pot and ensure that your loved ones don't have to worry about how they'll manage financially if you're no longer around.
What is Pension Term Assurance?
Pension Term Assurance is a type of Life Insurance policy that pays out a lump sum if the policyholder dies during the term of the policy.
It comes in two options: Personal Pension Term Assurance and Executive Pension Term Assurance. Both work the same way as any Life Insurance policy.

A key difference between Pension Term Assurance and a normal Life Insurance policy is that you may be eligible to claim tax relief on the premiums.
Pension Term Assurance will leave a lump sum for the family of the policyholder if they die before retirement age. This is also known as Death in Service benefit.
You can get tax relief on the premiums, which can make it a more affordable option.
How it Works
Pension term assurance is a type of life insurance that doesn't require you to have a pension, making it suitable for those in non-pensionable employment.
It's designed to provide coverage up to retirement age, and the type of policy you choose will determine how tax relief is applied.
You can pay as little as £78 for premiums worth £100, with the government picking up the shortfall, if you're on the basic rate of income tax.
Before April 2006, there was a maximum premium value of 10% of your yearly pension contributions, but after that, there was no limit on the size of the policy.

The first step to getting pension term assurance is to have a discussion and assess your options with an experienced advisor.
Providers start offering policies with this in mind, called pension term assurance plans, which can be tailored to your specific needs.
Pension term assurance benefits from tax relief on monthly payments, making it more affordable than term life insurance, especially if you pay income tax at the higher rate of 40%.
It's available as single cover only, and you can't choose joint or dual cover to protect your spouse's life.
The sum assured with pension term assurance depends on your income from employment or self-employment, but it can't be used as security for a mortgage or a loan.
Types and Plans
Pension term assurance comes in different types to cater to various needs.
Level term assurance provides a fixed payout amount, while decreasing term assurance pays out a decreasing amount over time.
Increasing term assurance, on the other hand, pays out an increasing amount over time.
A plan can be tailored to suit individual requirements, with options for joint life policies that cover two lives.
Types of

Within Pension Term Assurance, you have two options: Personal and Executive Term Assurance.
Plan Types
There are two main types of pension term assurance plans.
The first type is Personal pension term assurance.
This type is designed to provide a lump sum to your beneficiaries if you pass away during the term of the plan.
Executive pension term assurance is the other type.
It's typically offered by employers as a benefit to their employees.
Both types are designed to provide financial support to your loved ones in the event of your passing.
Where to Take Out
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Some parks also have designated areas for picnics or barbecues, which can be a fun and relaxed way to spend time with friends or family.
Benefits and Advantages
Pension term assurance can be a cost-effective option, with premiums eligible for tax relief at your marginal tax rate. This means you can claim back a significant portion of your payments, reducing the overall cost.

You can choose the length of your coverage to match your personal financial obligations or retirement plans, giving you a customized strategy for safeguarding your family's financial stability.
A €100 per month premium can cost as little as €60 per month, thanks to tax relief.
Having a pension term assurance policy gives you peace of mind knowing your loved ones will be financially secure if you pass away before retiring.
Disadvantages and Restrictions
Pension term assurance policies have some limitations you should be aware of. One of the main disadvantages is that they cannot be used as security for a mortgage or loan.
Another disadvantage is that these policies are only available as a single-life plan, meaning they don't provide coverage for joint life or dual life situations.
The policy also does not accumulate a value over time, unlike some other types of insurance policies.
Some policies are only accessible to those with specific employment status, which may limit their availability.

Revenue has imposed certain restrictions on Pension Term Assurance policies, including the fact that they cannot be used as security for a loan.
The policy also cannot be taken out on a dual or joint life basis, which may not be suitable for everyone.
Here are some of the key restrictions on Pension Term Assurance policies:
- The policy cannot be used as security for a loan
- The policy cannot be taken out on a dual or joint life basis
Cost and Eligibility
The cost of pension term assurance can be affected by several factors. Your age is one of the most significant factors, with premiums increasing by 29% between the ages of 30 and 40, and by 44% between 30 and 50.
A smoker can expect to pay upwards of 50% extra on their premium, which can make a big difference in the overall cost of the policy. Your health status also plays a role, with existing or pre-existing medical conditions potentially impacting the cost of your premiums.
The sum assured you choose will also impact the cost, with a larger amount resulting in higher premiums. For example, if you increase the sum assured from €350,000 to a larger amount, your monthly payments will also increase.
Here's a breakdown of how age affects the cost of pension term assurance:
Cost Effective

Pension Term Assurance can be a cost-effective option for protecting your family's financial future. Considering the multiple benefits it offers, Pension Term Assurance is a great choice.
Your age will impact the cost of your premiums, with younger applicants paying less. For example, a 30-year-old applicant pays €29.06 per month, while a 50-year-old applicant pays €74.09 per month.
Pension Term Assurance offers tax relief on both the personal and executive options, making it a more affordable option. This can make a big difference, especially if you pay income tax at the higher rate of 40%.
Here's a comparison of the cost of Pension Term Assurance and standard life insurance:
As you can see, Pension Term Assurance can save you money, thanks to the tax relief available. This can be a huge benefit, especially if you're on a higher income.
What Happens If I Leave My Job?
If you leave your job or cease working, your insurer may continue cover on your pension term assurance plan, up to your original retirement age, provided you continue to make payments.

You'll no longer be eligible for tax relief on your monthly payments for protection, so your payments are likely to increase.
You can continue your cover as term life insurance rather than pension term assurance if you have chosen a conversion option when purchasing a policy.
Don't delay in putting financial protection in place for your family, it's essential to have a plan in place regardless of your employment status.
Eligibility for Insurance
To be eligible for insurance, you'll want to know who qualifies. You can get Pension Term Assurance if you're self-employed or a PAYE employee who isn't part of a pension scheme at work.
Here are the specific eligibility criteria:
- Self-employed individuals
- PAYE employees not part of a pension scheme at work
You should also be aware that you can't use your policy as security for a loan, so you can't assign it to the bank for a mortgage.
Key Information and Takeaways
Pension Term Assurance is designed for those in non-pensionable employment, such as self-employed individuals or PAYE workers.

Tax relief is available on contributions, which can make this type of insurance more affordable.
A key benefit of Pension Term Assurance is that it can cost you 40% less than a regular life insurance policy.
This is because you can claim tax relief on your premiums, bringing the cost down to just 60% of the original amount.
For example, a €100 per month premium would only cost you €60 per month.
Life Insurance and Savings
Pension term assurance offers tax relief on monthly payments, making it more affordable than term life insurance, especially if you pay income tax at the higher rate of 40%.
You can benefit from tax relief on your monthly payments, with limits ranging from 15% to 40% of your net relevant earnings, depending on your age.
Pension term assurance is designed to provide protection for your working life, and your cover will cease at 65, 66, or your intended retirement age, usually up to 70.
The tax relief on pension term assurance is only applicable to income tax relief, and there is no limit to the payments you can make into the plan, except for an overall earnings limit of €115,000.
Savings
Savings can be a challenge, but did you know that payments into a pension term assurance plan benefit from tax relief at your marginal rate of income tax up to certain limits?
These limits are age-based and vary from 15% to 40% of your net relevant earnings, depending on your age. Under 30, you can get 15% tax relief.
You can make payments into the plan up to a certain amount, and there's an overall earnings limit of €115,000 to avail of tax relief. This means you can save a significant amount for your future.
The tax relief includes pension contributions to approved pensions as well as payments for personal pension term assurance, so you can use it to your advantage.
Difference Between Savings and Life Insurance
Pension term assurance benefits from tax relief on monthly payments, making it more affordable than term life insurance if you pay income tax at the higher rate of 40%.

One key difference between pension term assurance and term life insurance is the age at which cover ceases. Pension term assurance typically stops at 65, 66, or your intended retirement age, while term life assurance terms are more flexible and can continue later in life.
You can choose a sum assured that covers your family's needs with term life insurance, but with pension term assurance, the sum assured depends on your income from employment or self-employment only.
Pension term assurance is available as single cover only, you cannot choose joint or dual cover to protect the life of your spouse on this plan.
Unlike term life insurance, pension term assurance cannot be used as security for a mortgage or a loan, which might limit its usefulness in certain situations.
Relief and Comparison
Pension term assurance offers a key advantage over term life insurance in that it benefits from tax relief on monthly payments, making it more affordable, especially for those paying income tax at the higher rate of 40%.

This relief can make a significant difference in the cost of the policy, allowing you to allocate more funds towards your retirement savings.
Pension term assurance is designed to provide protection for your working life, with cover ceasing at 65, 66, or the age you intend to retire, usually up to 70.
Where to Buy
If you're looking for a place to buy Pension Term Assurance (PTA), you've got a few options in Ireland. Aviva, Irish Life, New Ireland, Royal London, and Zurich Life are all major players in the life insurance market.
Aviva, Irish Life, and New Ireland are all well-established brands with a strong presence in Ireland. You can rest assured that their products are reliable and trustworthy.
If you're looking for a comprehensive list of providers, here are the five main providers of life insurance in Ireland who offer PTA:
- Aviva
- Irish Life
- New Ireland
- Royal London
- Zurich Life
Each of these providers has its own unique features and benefits, so it's worth doing some research to find the one that best suits your needs.
Standard Life Insurance Comparison
Paying premiums for a standard Life Insurance policy can be a significant financial burden, especially when you consider that you won't be able to claim tax relief on your premiums.
The cost of a standard Life Insurance policy can be substantial, and it's essential to consider the tax implications of such a policy. In contrast, Personal Pension Term Assurance offers a more tax-efficient option for those looking to protect their family's financial future.
The table below highlights the difference in cost between a standard Life Insurance policy and a Pension Term Assurance policy.
This comparison illustrates the significant difference in cost between the two options, with the Pension Term Assurance policy offering a more affordable option for those who can claim tax relief on their premiums.
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