Hi! Slim, thanks for your comment. I was going to pay lump sump, but didn't know you could get tax relief on it. The bank has advised me to open a PRSA but am a little wary as a teacher friend of mine who is 60 said hers is worth much less now. Not keen on AVCs. Don't have great health so living long enough to reap the benefits might be an issue. What happens if I pay all this money and I get sick in service. Does this mean that I get a full pension if I have to retire on ill-health grounds if I have pay the 190k in a lump sum? Will kids get a full 'orphan's pension' if I pay this lump sum? Would really appreciate any advice.