Re: PRSA
Hi, all sorry for not replying sooner but I have been a bit up to my eyes.
No PRSA Provider is selling a Standard PRSA for nil commission unless it is via a intermediary. I am not aware of any intermediary that is selling them for less than MyAdviser i.e New Ireland for just 50 euro and any other Providers PRSA (who sell via Brokers) for 100 euro. You get nil commission terms i.e. no 5% entry charge, for the life of your pension. There is no advise or service with this but then you also may not need these supports.
The reason why New Ireland is on a lower fee is because there is a general offer with their pensions where there is no fee or commission on any Executive or Personal Pension taken out with them. You get nil commission terms and it costs you nothing. I get a volume bonus on business placed on these contracts but not on the PRSA business. (as detailed on the web site) I felt that I should make the PRSA a bit cheaper just to fall into line but needed to be piad for executing the business.
Charges is not a discriminator for Standard PRSA's. Service may be but it is hard to sell this. Past Performance is a key one for me but I know there are others who feel it is a poor measure. Fund choice may make the difference - Standard life are offering their Non-Standard PRSA at Standard Rates and thus allowing their With Profits fund to be accessed at very low cost.
One final point is that if the level of flexibility on PRSA's is not everything to you and you can access pensions at nil commission rates (MyAdviser - excuse the plug Brendan)
it will probably cost you less to set up a personal pension or executive pension. The reason is the annual management charge of 1% can be reduced to 0.75% and this makes a major difference for longer terms and larger investment amounts. In most cases nil commission standard prsa's can be beaten on charges by nil commission exec or personal pensions. flexibility is not everything.
I hope this helps.
Regards Michael
Authorised Advisor & Discount Broker
www.myadviser.ie