01
Income
Reduction in household income
The drop in household net income following the death of a spouse, or an inability to work due to a serious illness or long-term disability.
Personal protection review 
Preparing for the what ifs of life.
A clear, written review of how your family would actually fare if either of you died prematurely, was diagnosed with a serious illness, or couldn't work long-term. We make sure the cover you hold matches the life you're protecting.
You'll be talking to Brendan Reilly CFP® · QFA · Head of Financial Planning
Why bother
If the worst happened tomorrow, would your family actually be okay?
The financial consequences of premature death, serious illness, or long-term disability can be catastrophic for any family. Most households quietly assume they're covered - until they have to find out.
A Personal Protection Review is designed to inform you of those financial consequences and properly assess the suitability of the protection plans you already hold - without selling you anything you don't need.
You leave with a written Personal Protection Report you can act on, share with your spouse, or simply file away knowing you've done the work.
Organise your review What the review takes into account
What does a personal protection review take into account?
Your Personal Protection Review looks past the policy documents and works out what would actually arrive in the bank account - and from where - if life took a turn.
Take-home pay (example) €1,000
State Illness Benefit €254
Illness Benefit is the top weekly rate for 2026, depends on your PRSI record and is paid for two years at most. The take-home pay is an example.
02
State
Social Protection entitlements
What the Department of Social Protection actually pays out - and whether you or your spouse are likely to qualify when it matters.
03
Employer
Employer income replacement
Existing death-in-service, income continuance and serious-illness benefits already provided through your employer (or your spouse's).
04
Contingencies
Funeral, home, family
Allowances for the costs that don't show up on a payslip - funeral expenses, home adaptations, childcare gaps, mortgage runway.
Together, these four lenses identify your household's actual personal protection requirements - which is rarely the same as what's already in place.
What you leave with
What will you & your spouse leave with?
A clear, written report - not a sales pitch. Something you can both refer back to, and a plan for closing any gaps without paying for cover you don't need.
- Confirmed the benefits & value of your existing insurance plans - life insurance, mortgage protection, serious illness cover and income protection
- A clear picture of what's actually paid out in the event of a medical or financial emergency
- Identified areas where your household is currently over- or under-insured
- A method for addressing the threats that come with being over- or under-insured
The fee
How much does a protection review cost? €400, fixed.
One transparent fee covers the lot. Invoiced after the work is done. No commission-led product pushing - if you already have the right cover, we'll tell you.
Your fee facilitates
- Discussing your protection requirements
- Researching your existing benefits & entitlements
- Preparing your Personal Protection Report
- Presenting your Personal Protection Report
Common questions
The things people ask about protection.
Anything not covered here? The 30-minute discovery call is the right place to ask - bring the awkward ones too.
Do I get tax relief on income protection?
Yes. Premiums on a Revenue-approved income protection policy qualify for income tax relief at your marginal rate, on premiums up to 10% of your income in the tax year. For a higher-rate taxpayer a €100 monthly premium costs €60 after relief; for a standard-rate taxpayer, €80. Life cover and specified illness cover get no relief, which is one reason income protection is usually the first policy we look at for anyone whose household depends on a salary.
What does the State pay if I can't work because of illness?
Illness Benefit is at most €254 a week in 2026, depends on your PRSI record, and is paid for a maximum of two years. For most working households that is a fraction of the income it replaces, and self-employed people do not qualify for it at all. Income protection is designed to cover that gap: it pays a percentage of your salary, typically up to 75% less any State benefit, until you return to work or reach retirement age.
Is mortgage protection compulsory in Ireland?
Your lender must make sure a life policy is in place to clear the mortgage if you die, under the Consumer Credit Act 1995, unless an exemption applies (for example, you are over 50, the loan is not on your home, or you cannot get cover). You do not have to buy the policy from the lender: you can shop the whole market, and the difference in premium for the same cover can be substantial over a 30-year term. A protection review checks that the policy is the right type, in the right names, and not doubling up on cover you already have through work.
How much life cover do I need?
Enough to clear the debts your family would be left with and replace the income they would lose for as long as they depend on it. In practice we start from three numbers: the mortgage and other loans, the years until your youngest is financially independent, and what your employer's death-in-service benefit already pays (often two to four times salary). Cover from work is a good start but it ends when the job does. The review shows the gap in euro, and only then do we talk about a policy.
Figures checked on 5 September 2026 against Revenue (permanent health benefit relief) and Citizens Information (Illness Benefit). Rules and rates change each Budget; confirm the current figure before acting on it.
Message Brendan
Organise your Personal Protection Review.
Tell Brendan a little about who depends on you and what cover you already hold, if any. Fixed €400 fee, a written report, and a reply from Brendan personally - usually within one working day.
- Brendan reads these personally and replies from their own inbox.
- No obligation, and no one will chase you with a sales call.
- Prefer to talk? 052 612 9696
Peace of mind
The right cover for the family you have, no more, no less.
Message Brendan to organise your Personal Protection Review. Fixed €400 fee, a written report, and a clear plan for closing any gaps - without paying for cover you don't need.