I think I understand the terms of the Fair Deal scheme except for how it applies to an ARF (an approved retirement fund). HMWell, that’s one way of turning readers off their food as they read their morning paper – charging 40 per cent of your pension fund to meet the cost of nursing home care. Fortunately, it is not that bad although people may bridle at the rules that do apply for pension fund assets if you or your wife do need long-term nursing home care. Let’s look at the broad rules first, then we can crunch some numbers on the basis of this notional ARF fund balance you mention. And what about that thing I mentioned, where you might not qualify for Fair Deal at all?

Source: The Irish Times March 01, 2026 18:16 UTC