Latest news with #JohnRing
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Irish property investment tumbles in second quarter of 2025 amid uncertain backdrop
A report from estate agents Savills shows that €381.5m was invested in the Irish market in the second quarter, down 34pc on the second quarter last year. But total spend in the first half of 2025, at €924m, was 27pc higher year-on-year. John Ring, director of research at Savills, said real estate markets have struggled for momentum in the absence of a clearer and more stable economic backdrop. Savills still expects the value of deals this year to exceed the €2.5bn recorded in 2024. Savills said the second-quarter performance reflects a smaller number of big transactions, but that overall activity remains 'well-diversified' across sectors and geographies. It added a total of 21 deals closed in the period, with an average size of €18.1m. Investment in the retail sector remained strong, accounting for 42pc of total activity in the second quarter. It was supported by Realty Income's €123.5m acquisition of the Trinity Collection, a portfolio of retail parks in Tallaght, Drogheda and Clonmel. Offices continued to command the highest share of activity, at 47pc by value. The quarter was marked by three big deals, including Deka's €70m purchase of 20 Kildare Street from Kennedy Wilson, with a 5.15pc yield. Kennedy Wilson also sold 10 Hanover Quay for €66m to Pontegadea, representing a 5.4pc yield. The Infinity Building in Dublin's Smithfield was acquired for €42m by Corum, for an 8.4pc yield. Recent moderation in the five-year swap rate will allow transaction volumes to recover European investors made up 53pc of all purchases in the second quarter, well above the five-year average of 34pc, according to Savills. 'Increased sovereign bond issuance across the euro area and concerns over the potential inflationary impact of US protectionist trade policies have led investors to demand a higher term premium, keeping upward pressure on longer-dated bonds,' Mr Ring said. He said with rates at the short end of the yield curve tightening due to ECB rate cuts, the five-year swap rate has moved from an average of 2.8pc in the first half of 2024 to 2.2pc in the first half of 2025. 'While higher rates and an uncertain macro context have led to a fall-off in investment volumes, the recent moderation in the five-year swap rate will allow transaction volumes to recover.'
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Little Known Law Offers Savvy Kiwis The Opportunity To Supercharge Their Retirement Savings
Press Release – XtraPension Not many people are aware that on November 9, 2020, New Zealand law changed such that any part of a UK State Pension gained from making voluntary contributions is no longer deducted from NZ Superannuation. A little-known legal amendment is being leveraged by savvy New Zealanders and expat Brits to supercharge their retirement savings. Not many people are aware that on November 9, 2020, New Zealand law changed such that any part of a UK State Pension gained from making voluntary contributions is no longer deducted from NZ Superannuation. 'That means that New Zealanders can effectively claim two retirement incomes (plus any KiwiSaver or other private income they may have),' says John Ring, Operations Director of XtraPension – an Irish based company that helps people around the world to maximise their UK State Pension. To qualify for the UK State Pension, you must have worked in the UK for at least three years. The opportunity is available to men born after April 5, 1951 (i.e. aged up to 74), and women born after April 5, 1953 (i.e. aged up to 72). To get any pension, you need a minimum of 10 years of National Insurance contributions, and to receive the full pension, you need 35 years of NI contributions. But the kicker is that you can buy up to six past years of any missing contributions, plus future years of contributions to get as close to your desired maximum years. National Insurance is a system of contributions paid by UK workers and employers, as well as self-employed people, to fund various social security benefits, including the pension. How much does it cost to bolster your UK State Pension? The cost of buying a year varies depending on whether or not you've been working since 2019 outside the UK. Most New Zealanders and expat Brits can buy six past years at NZ$400 per year = $2,400 once-off cost. It is also possible to buy years annually into the future, all the way up to the age of 67 to maximise your pension. Each year purchased from the UK Government at $400 equates to $700 per year in pension, so for example, 10 years of NI contributions would provide $7,000 per annum in pension payments payable from the UK Government. 'For someone who needed to buy 10 missing years, it would cost them only $4,000 which would pay them $7,000 annually from the age of 67 for the rest of their life,' says Ring. 'Over a typical 20-year retirement (to age 87), this investment strategy would be worth $140,000. Not bad for a $4,000 investment.' Most people who qualify will get a guaranteed $40 back for every $1 they pay to the UK government over a 20-year retirement. 'Interestingly, the rules are different for people outside the UK, and it is much cheaper to buy voluntary NI contributions outside the country, though the pension is not indexed and is frozen from the date it is first claimed,' says Ring. 'This 'frozen pension' issue impacts 600,000 people around the world and there is a big campaign underway to change it. Regardless, financial experts say it is still a very worthwhile financial decision for people in New Zealand and an excellent return on investment.' Information required to claim a UK State Pension Firstly, check your eligibility here: Your old UK National Insurance Number – see 5 ways to get it here The name, address, and work dates of your last UK work (even if the company is defunct) When you left the UK What you've been doing since 2019 (or later if you left the UK later) including employer details and dates Ring says the process is very nuanced and it is easy to fall through the cracks. 'Up to 500,000 New Zealanders and expat Brits in New Zealand are eligible to claim this potentially life-changing pension, but it requires some finesse to ensure you get the best possible outcome,' he said. 'That's why we set up XtraPension as we want to help as many people as possible to maximise their UK State Pension so they can enjoy a much more comfortable life in retirement.' o find out more about how to maximise your UK State Pension, visit XtraPension, WhatsApp +353 83 123 4000 and watch this video:
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Little Known Law Offers Savvy Kiwis The Opportunity To Supercharge Their Retirement Savings
A little-known legal amendment is being leveraged by savvy New Zealanders and expat Brits to supercharge their retirement savings. Not many people are aware that on November 9, 2020, New Zealand law changed such that any part of a UK State Pension gained from making voluntary contributions is no longer deducted from NZ Superannuation. 'That means that New Zealanders can effectively claim two retirement incomes (plus any KiwiSaver or other private income they may have),' says John Ring, Operations Director of XtraPension – an Irish based company that helps people around the world to maximise their UK State Pension. To qualify for the UK State Pension, you must have worked in the UK for at least three years. The opportunity is available to men born after April 5, 1951 (i.e. aged up to 74), and women born after April 5, 1953 (i.e. aged up to 72). To get any pension, you need a minimum of 10 years of National Insurance contributions, and to receive the full pension, you need 35 years of NI contributions. But the kicker is that you can buy up to six past years of any missing contributions, plus future years of contributions to get as close to your desired maximum years. National Insurance is a system of contributions paid by UK workers and employers, as well as self-employed people, to fund various social security benefits, including the pension. How much does it cost to bolster your UK State Pension? The cost of buying a year varies depending on whether or not you've been working since 2019 outside the UK. Most New Zealanders and expat Brits can buy six past years at NZ$400 per year = $2,400 once-off cost. It is also possible to buy years annually into the future, all the way up to the age of 67 to maximise your pension. Each year purchased from the UK Government at $400 equates to $700 per year in pension, so for example, 10 years of NI contributions would provide $7,000 per annum in pension payments payable from the UK Government. 'For someone who needed to buy 10 missing years, it would cost them only $4,000 which would pay them $7,000 annually from the age of 67 for the rest of their life,' says Ring. 'Over a typical 20-year retirement (to age 87), this investment strategy would be worth $140,000. Not bad for a $4,000 investment.' Most people who qualify will get a guaranteed $40 back for every $1 they pay to the UK government over a 20-year retirement. 'Interestingly, the rules are different for people outside the UK, and it is much cheaper to buy voluntary NI contributions outside the country, though the pension is not indexed and is frozen from the date it is first claimed,' says Ring. 'This 'frozen pension' issue impacts 600,000 people around the world and there is a big campaign underway to change it. Regardless, financial experts say it is still a very worthwhile financial decision for people in New Zealand and an excellent return on investment.' Information required to claim a UK State Pension Firstly, check your eligibility here: Your old UK National Insurance Number – see 5 ways to get it here The name, address, and work dates of your last UK work (even if the company is defunct) When you left the UK What you've been doing since 2019 (or later if you left the UK later) including employer details and dates Ring says the process is very nuanced and it is easy to fall through the cracks. 'Up to 500,000 New Zealanders and expat Brits in New Zealand are eligible to claim this potentially life-changing pension, but it requires some finesse to ensure you get the best possible outcome,' he said. 'That's why we set up XtraPension as we want to help as many people as possible to maximise their UK State Pension so they can enjoy a much more comfortable life in retirement.'
