Retirement Planning Council of Ireland marks 50 years with Longford Women’s Link partnership

“With unprecedented longevity creating opportunities that previous generations could never have imagined, the question is not whether we will live longer, but how we will choose to use those additional years.”  That’s according to Retirement Planning Council of Ireland, which, to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary, has announced fifty free places on retirement planning course next year, to reach people across society who face greater challenges when forward planning for later life.

The charity has partnered with social enterprises and organisations across Ireland, including Longford Women’s Link to support groups such as lone parents, adult learners, and newcomers who may not have considered retirement due to insecure work, the gender pension gap, or limited financial literacy.

Read more: Ellie the Lurcher from Longford NSPCA to spend third Christmas in shelter

Chief Executive at the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland, Laura Farrell said:

“The Retirement Planning Council is adapting and changing to offer retirement planning services to a modern workforce, whether that’s low-income, self-employed, part-time, portfolio career or mid-career individuals.  The change is supported and guided by 50 years of knowledge and experience behind it. We’re delighted to offer our expertise to a wider group of people across Ireland to help them start planning for their retirement.”

Ms Farrell also outlined how attitudes towards retirement planning have changed from being viewed as a passive period at the end of one’s life to supporting the idea that retirees are moving into the ‘modern renaissance of later life’ where they might set up businesses or pursue higher or further education opportunities.

“In terms of overall attitudes to retirement, many course participants/retirees have changed their outlook on retirement with less anxiety about what lies ahead and positivity about the next stage of their lives.

“Our Retirement Planning Courses use a holistic approach, so while many clients start off just thinking about the financial aspect of this new phase of their lives, course participation opens up conversations about areas such as social supports, physical and mental health and the potential need or indeed desire to continue working post-retirement.

“We have also witnessed an extraordinary surge in demand for our mid-career programme, with professionals in their thirties, forties, and early fifties recognising that the key to a fulfilling later life lies in intentional planning that begins decades before traditional retirement age. They understand that the old model of working intensively for 40 years and then stopping abruptly is not only outdated but potentially harmful to their long-term wellbeing and fulfilment. 

Read more: Core funding issue resolution good news for long awaited Longford FRC

“While men and women are sharing an increasingly positive outlook on life after retirement, the gender pension gap continues to leave women at a disadvantage due to career breaks and pay disparities. Our programme leaders and specialist speakers are supporting women to explore ways to reduce this gap.”

The Retirement Planning Council’s free courses will take place in person and online, in 2026.  For more information on retirement planning, contact communications@rpc.ie .