Self-directed master trusts: The future of pensions for business owners and senior executives

As Ireland’s pensions landscape evolves, Colm Power & Fergal Roche outline how our first-of-a-kind, self-directed master trust, can help business owners and senior executives in Ireland secure their financial security in retirement.

For business owners and high-earning senior executives in Ireland, the journey to retirement is becoming increasingly complex. Recent legislative changes to pensions rules have redefined the retirement landscape. The new measures, aimed at simplifying and modernising Ireland’s pensions system, have also created new challenges. Business owners and executives are now seeking effective ways to efficiently save for retirement given the following key developments to traditional options;
 

• Existing single-member occupational pension schemes face an April 2026 deadline to transition to alternative arrangements, and it is no longer possible to set up new schemes.
   
• Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) seemed set to fill the gap left by single member occupational pensions. However, at the start of this year, new limits on tax relief were introduced for company contributions, complicating their use for larger, irregular pension funding.

Master trusts have emerged as the key alternative in the Irish pensions market for 2025 and beyond, for individuals transitioning from existing single-member pension schemes and those seeking greater flexibility. 

Davy Master Trust as a solution for business owners and executives

With traditional options either no longer available or less attractive, master trusts present an appealing alternative. These modernised occupational pension arrangements pool resources from multiple employers while maintaining flexibility and tax efficiency. Our master trust offers business owners and executives continuity and provides access to a pension scheme that aligns with their unique requirements.

Key advantages of the Davy Master Trust compared to traditional pension schemes

Our self-directed master trust is the first of its kind in Ireland, and differs from traditional schemes in three important ways:

1. Personalised wealth advice

The Davy self-directed master trust includes access to personalised advice, ensuring that business owners and executives receive guidance on how their pension investments aligns with their broader wealth management plans, considering personalised retirement planning, succession planning, and broader tax efficiencies.

2. Flexible investment options

Self-directed master trusts offer access to a wider range of funds than traditional group pension schemes and more tailored investment opportunities, including directly investing in shares, private equity, and other asset classes, aligning pension strategies with overall financial planning objectives.

3. Long-term sustainability

Master trusts are explicitly designed to meet regulatory requirements, ensuring long-term compliance. They provide scalability and administrative support, making them suitable for the modern pensions landscape.

The importance of choosing the right pension solution for your needs

Ireland’s evolving pensions market presents a new set of opportunities but requires careful navigation. Recent changes to rules have highlighted the importance of choosing the most suitable retirement structure, especially for business owners and executives.  

Owners of family businesses and SMEs are grappling with significant restrictions to traditional options such as single member pension schemes or PRSAs. In larger corporates and partnerships, the needs of the senior management or partners in the firm may not be met by a traditional group pension scheme.

Business owners and executives should focus on solutions that offer flexibility around contributions, access to diverse investment opportunities, and integrated financial advice to align their pensions with their broader wealth management goals.

A self-directed master trust may be the solution to these problems.

Taking proactive steps to secure your financial future

By taking proactive steps now, business owners and executives can implement a pension structure that meets their specific needs and supports their long-term financial objectives.

If you would like to learn more about our self-directed master trust, please contact your adviser. If you are new to Davy, why not book a consultation.