Want better results from your pension? Take a lesson from the rugby pitch

Rugby can look pretty simple from the couch - you get the ball, head in the right direction and score more points than the other team. Easy, right? 

Well, not quite. Because behind every great performance is a lot of work that most of us never see. 

There are players training, coaches planning, analysts crunching the numbers and a whole team looking for ways to make things that little bit better. 

Because at the highest level, there’s always room to improve. 

And while your pension involves fewer tackles, the same idea applies: good can always get better. 

Meet the team behind your pension 

When the Ireland team runs out onto the pitch, we see the players, but we don’t necessarily see all the people who helped get them there. And pensions can be a little like that too.  

You make your contributions, but behind the scenes an investment team is making decisions about how that money is invested. 

At Zurich, that job is handled by its award-winning investment team₁. They research investment opportunities, monitor markets and manage funds with a focus on delivering strong long-term performance for customers. 

Thankfully, that means you don’t need to start checking financial markets over your morning coffee, but the work being done in the background really matters. 

Your pension could be invested for decades, so the performance of those investments over time can have an important impact on what you eventually have available for retirement. 

As Alan Dineen, Sales Director at Zurich, says, “Good investment performance takes expertise, teamwork and a constant focus on improvement.  

“Our investment team is always looking ahead and making informed decisions with the long-term interests of our customers in mind. Because when you’re building towards retirement, performance counts.” 

Check the scoreboard 

Here’s a question we probably don’t ask ourselves very often: how is my pension actually doing? 

In rugby, the scoreboard gives you a pretty quick answer, but with a pension, it’s not quite so obvious. 

We might know what goes into it each month, but beyond that, it can be easy to leave it doing its thing in the background. So maybe it’s time to ask: “Could I be getting more from the pension I already have?” 

Rugby teams are always looking at the game plan, such as what’s working, what could be better and where there might be an opportunity to make a change. You can take a similar approach to your pension by checking its performance or considering whether you could give it a boost. 

There can be more room to contribute as you get older too. Subject to Revenue rules, the age-related limit for tax relief on eligible pension contributions rises from 25% of earnings for those aged 40 to 49, to 30% from age 50, 35% from 55 and 40% from age 60₂. 

And life changes. Maybe you’re earning more, the mortgage is taking up less of the budget, or some big family expenses have eased. If there’s a little more room financially, you might decide it’s time to bring your pension back into the game plan. 

When it’s time to change the game plan 

But a game plan doesn’t stay the same for 80 minutes. Things change, and sometimes a different approach is needed. 

Your salary might change, family expenses might ease, or retirement might suddenly feel a lot closer than it did five years ago. And when your circumstances change, it can be worth checking whether your pension should change too. 

That’s where financial advice can help. 

A financial advisor can look at where you are now, what you already have and what you want from retirement. That might mean reviewing your contributions, exploring your options or considering whether topping up your pension is right for you. 

Zurich offers a wide range of pension options, control and flexibility, with financial advisors available to help you make decisions based on your own circumstances. 

As Alan says: “Your pension should move with you. As your circumstances and plans change, taking the time to review where you are can help make sure your pension is still working towards the future you want.” 

What does a win look like for you? 

In rugby, everyone knows what they’re working towards: put the points on the board and get the result. 

With retirement, you get to choose what the result looks like. Whatever your version looks like, having a pension that performs can help you work towards it. 

And that’s where Zurich’s focus on what can go right comes in. 

Just like rugby, the result doesn’t come down to one great moment. It’s built over time, through commitment, the team behind you, good decisions and a constant drive to improve. 

The final whistle might be a long way off, and that’s not a bad thing. It gives you time to keep working towards the result you want. 

Because whether you’re chasing a result on the pitch or building towards the retirement you want, performance counts. 

Performance is powerful. Performance is what turns good into great. Performance will make it all worthwhile. At Zurich, they know that when it comes to pensions, performance counts. 

Topping up your pension can give you the retirement you deserve. Get in touch with a Zurich financial advisor or find a local financial advisor near you with the Zurich Advisor Finder to talk about your options. With a wide range of options, control and flexibility, you can choose a pension plan that’s right for you. 

Sources:

₁Investment Excellence Award, Brokers Ireland, 2014 - 2025. Pension Provider Excellence Award, Brokers Ireland, 2014 - 2025. No awards held in 2020. Fund Management Company of the Year 2025 Award, Business and Finance Financial Services Awards. Pensions and Life Assurance Company of the Year, Chambers Ireland Awards, 2026. 

₂Revenue.ie 

The information contained herein is based on Zurich Life’s understanding of current Revenue practice and may change in the future. 

This publication has been prepared for general guidance on matters of interest only and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice.