Retirement Planning Council

25/09/2026

🌟 A retirement planning course isn't just about pensions and finances. It's about preparing for the lifestyle, opportunities, and changes that come with a new chapter in life.

❤️ Our holistic approach covers everything from finance and social welfare to health, social engagement, personal identity, and creating your own retirement plan.

🌱 Because the best retirements don't happen by accident. They happen through planning.

Book your course today at www.rpc.ie. Future you will thank you!

22/09/2026

🦴 What is a DXA Scan?

A DXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan is a quick, painless test that measures bone density and helps assess your risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Who may need one?

✅ Women after menopause
✅ Men and women over 50 with risk factors
✅ Anyone with a history of fractures from a minor fall
✅ People taking long-term steroid medication
✅ Those with a family history of osteoporosis

Why is it important?

Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease" because bone loss can occur without symptoms until a fracture happens. A DEXA scan can identify low bone density early, allowing you to take steps to protect your bone health.

The Irish Osteoporosis Society is dedicated to reducing the incidence of Osteoporosis and promoting good bone health. For further information, support and expert advice, visit

The Irish Osteoporosis Society are the National Experts regarding Bone health.

16/09/2026

A new chapter for RPC!

We're pleased to welcome Mary Connaughton as the new Chairperson of the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland. Having served on our Board for the past nine years, Mary brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to supporting people as they transition into retirement.
We would also like to sincerely thank outgoing Chairperson Raymond Kenny for his ten years of dedicated service to RPC.

Read more here: https://www.rpc.ie/resources/new-chairperson---mary-connaughton

You can listen to Mary on Southeast Radio here: https://www.southeastradio.ie/podcasts/morning-mix/episode/morning-mix-monday-14th-september-2026/

05/09/2026

Is retirement just around the corner?

Before you take that next step in life, give yourself peace of mind by making sure you’ve got all the details of your pension sorted.

🗒️ Here’s our quick retirement pension checklist to tick off before you retire:

Be sure to get clarity from your Pension or Plan Administrator about your likely benefits at retirement, including:

✅ Your retirement lump sum: how much can you take?
✅ Residual annuity: what income will remain after your lump sum?
✅ Cash exchange rates – e.g. 9:1 or 12:1 (€100 pension reduction for every €900 tax-free cash received).
✅ Indexation: will your pension increase in retirement, and by how much (and when)?
✅ Spouse’s benefit: will your pension continue to a surviving spouse after your death?
✅ Definition of “spouse”: does it mean your spouse at the date of retirement or at the date of death?

Taking time to confirm these details now can help you retire with confidence and without surprises.

To find out more on preparing for retirement or to book a course, visit https://www.rpc.ie/

29/08/2026

🤗 Self-care refers to the intentional actions, practices, and behaviours that anyone can adopt to maintain and improve their overall well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and social health.

26/08/2026

'The course was excellent, very informative and presented very well. I will be recommending the course to colleagues'

'Excellent program, should be mandatory retirement prep. Would save a lot of stress, apprehension & possible future heartache for many.'

'I found the pre-retirement course delivered by RPC fantastic.'

➡️ Book your retirement planning course at www.rpc.ie.

21/08/2026

Can time spent working abroad count towards social welfare benefits in Ireland?

Yes, if you’ve spent time working outside Ireland, you may still be able to count contributions towards your Irish state pension and other benefits. However, it’s only if you don’t qualify for benefits based on your Irish record that you would look at time spent abroad.

You may also qualify for payments from other countries; it’s not always one or the other. But it depends on where you worked and the agreements that are in place.

We recommend contacting the Department of Social Protection (DSP) or your local Intreo Centre for specific advice at least 6 months in advance of reaching pension age. You should be able to provide details of where you worked, when and for which employers.

Our Planning for Retirement programme covers this topic in more detail. You can book a place on our programmes at www.rpc.ie

18/08/2026

💪 When you perform resistance exercises, your muscles are challenged to contract against force. This causes small, controlled muscle fibre breakdowns, which the body repairs and rebuilds stronger over time.

From the age of 30 onwards, adults naturally lose 3–8% of muscle mass per decade if they don’t actively work to maintain it.

Here’s why resistance training should be part of your routine:

✅ Boosts Energy & Focus: Stronger muscles, improved posture, circulation, and productivity.

✅ Protects Bone & Joint Health: Especially important after 35 to prevent age-related decline.

✅ Reduces Stress & Lifts Mood: A proven way to combat burnout and improve mental wellbeing.

✅ Future-Proofs Your Body: Building strength today to stay mobile, independent, and healthy later on.

Start small, stay consistent, and your future self will thank you.

15/08/2026

☀️ Happy National Relaxation Day! ☀️

After years of hard work, deadlines, and busy schedules, retirement can offer the chance to enjoy life's quieter pleasures.

Today is the perfect reminder to put your feet up, take a deep breath, and do something that brings you joy. Whether that's meeting friends for a chat, spending time with family, enjoying a hobby, or simply sitting back and watching the world go by.

Because relaxation isn't about doing nothing, it's about doing what makes you happy.

What does relaxation look like for you?☺️

10/08/2026

Stress is something everyone experiences at different points in life, but when it becomes constant it can affect sleep, mood, focus and long-term health.

As retirement approaches, change can bring new sources of stress, such as financial worries, uncertainty about daily routine or adjusting to a different pace of life.

Taking time to manage stress is not a luxury, it is an investment in your wellbeing.

Here are a few small things we can do to reduce stress:

🚶‍♂️ Light exercise such as walking, yoga or swimming.
🤝 Spending time with friends and talking things through.
🧘Practising relaxation with meditation or journaling.
💻 Learning something new, such as a recipe or skill.

Wellbeing is a part of every course offered by the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland. Our programmes go beyond finances to help people build confidence, resilience and a positive outlook for the years ahead.

Find out more about our courses on retirement at rpc.ie/courses.