Savings at Acorn Life

Savings

We all have things for which we want to save. Most of us put away a few euro every month into our bank or building society account to save for our next holiday or to build up some savings for the unexpected. Deposit accounts are generally good for short-term saving needs, but these accounts offer unattractive growth potential.

There are also very good reasons for saving long term, including saving for a long held dream, a child's education or a down-payment on a house. These could put a high dent in your family finances. The solution to these increasing costs is to plan ahead. This will ensure that in future you do not have to borrow at high interest rates or re-mortgage your home.

Acorn Life's Savings Plan

Acorn Life's Savings Plan offers you the opportunity to put money away for your child's education or a long held dream. Acorn Life's Savings Plan is a unit-linked plan and is primarily designed to enable you to build up a substantial sum of money in the future. It may also provide modest levels of protection benefits if chosen by you. Not only that, but we have designed the plan to change as your needs change, so that you have the financial security you need at every stage of your life.

3rd July 1989 - 31st December 2009. Source: MoneyMate & Acorn Life. Offer to Bid Basis.

* Deposit Account figures are based on the assumption that a representative demand deposit interest rate of 0.5% per annum applies over the term.

** An Post figures are based on an assumed Savings Bond rate of 3.53% that applies over the term (this is the rate as at January 2010). Acorn Life returns quoted are after the bid offer spread and the management charges are deducted, and are gross of tax. The value of an Acorn Life savings plan in the early years may be less than the amount paid in, due to the effect of expenses and charges, most of which are deducted in the early investment period. There are other charges associated with an Acorn Life savings plan.

Warning: Past Performance is not a reliable guide to future performance
Warning: The value of your investment may go down as well as up.

Back to Top

If you would like to know more about Acorn Life's Savings Plan click here.

Your Questions Answered

Here you will find the information you need so that you can make your savings decisions with confidence.

What is a Unit Linked Fund?

Unit linked funds are investments that are available from life assurance companies and investment companies. Returns from unit linked funds will vary depending on the type of fund you choose, where the fund is investing and what type of things the fund invests in.

Acorn Life's Savings Plan offers four different types of unit linked funds:

The Deposit Fund

The Deposit Fund's objective is to achieve steady, secure growth with the emphasis on security through investing in deposits. This fund is suitable as a temporary home for money when markets are volatile.

The Cautiously Managed Fund

The Cautiously Managed Fund is suitable for investors who are prepared to accept a low level of risk for the prospect of a more attractive return than that offered by deposit type accounts. It invests mainly in bonds denominated in euro, issued by sovereign states, agencies, supranationals and corporates.

The Managed Fund

The Managed Fund is for the investor who is looking for a spread of investment and long term growth. Through a carefully managed selection of equities and securities the fund aims to outperform returns from banks and building societies.

The Managed Growth Fund

The Managed Growth Fund is for the more adventurous investor. It aims for a higher return than the Managed Fund through investing more heavily in equities.

Acorn Life's Managed Fund, Managed Growth Fund and Cautiously Managed Fund are managed by HSBC Global Asset Management (UK), the global fund management division of HSBC Holdings plc, one of the largest financial organisations in the world. The Deposit Fund is managed by Acorn Life's in-house investment team.

Back to Top

Why should I invest in a Unit Linked Fund?

You need money on deposit in a bank for emergencies; however, you are unlikely to earn significant interest on a regular deposit account. For longer term savings, you may want to consider investing in assets that offer real growth potential such as stocks and shares. Investing your money sensibly for the long term can enable you to realise some of your dreams.

Back to Top

How does Acorn Life's Savings Plan Work?

Each month, or less regularly if you choose, you pay us the premium due under the policy. There is an initial period, during which the premium is not invested but goes to meet our costs incurred in selling, setting up and administering the policy. After the initial period, we invest the premium on your behalf in the fund of your choice.

The funds are typically invested in equities, unit trusts and Government bonds and are divided into a number of units of equal value, which are allocated to each policy. Each month some of the units are deducted from the fund to cover the cost of the company continuing to look after your policy. The remaining fund is there to provide cash benefits if you choose to surrender your policy in full or in part.

You can make lump sum extra payments into your policy if you wish. This will enhance your fund and provide a higher ultimate return in due course.

Back to Top

Are there any tax advantages to investing Acorn Life Savings Plan?

For policies taken out since 2001, Acorn Life's unit linked funds grow free of tax. Every eight years or upon surrender for cash, there may be a liability to tax. The tax payable is based on the amount by which the surrender value exceeds the premiums paid, allowing for any tax already paid on the policy.

The current tax rate applicable to such payments is 28%. (from April 2009).  However, this can be altered by the Government and thus it is the tax rate applying at the date of surrender which determines the tax which will be payable. If you are an Irish resident, we will deduct the tax and pay it to the Revenue. If you are not resident in Ireland, or are exempt from paying tax on life assurance policies, we will pay the full amount without deduction of tax if we have received the required Revenue declaration.

Back to Top

10 Good Reasons for taking out an Acorn Life Savings Plan

  • Unlimited Growth Potential
  • Your fund will be expertly managed by HSBC Global Asset Management (UK), the global fund management division of HSBC Holdings plc, one of the largest financial organisations in the world.
  • Spread of Investments. Acorn Life Managed and Managed Growth Funds give a wide spread across world markets.
  • You can make additional contributions to your fund
  • You can transfer between funds.
  • Inflation Protection. To keep ahead of inflation and to maintain their real value, benefits and premiums will increase each year by the rise in the Consumer Price Index or 5% whichever is greater.
  • Transparency and Flexibility. Charges are transparent, there is no time limit for your investment and gains can be taken out.
  • Regular Valuations. Unlike other forms of investments, values on your investment are immediately available on request.
  • You have flexibility in deciding when you want to encash your investment. We recommend that you take a minimum 10 year view of your investment. However, your investment is open-ended and can be encashed at any time.
  • An interesting alternative. Low interest rates means that even larger amounts earn little interest. This plan offers you an alternative for your money over the next 10 to 20 years.

Back to Top


Access to this website and use of the information on it is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in our legal notice. By proceeding further you will be deemed to have understood and agreed to be bound by these terms and conditions. If this is not acceptable by you, please exit this site now. Acorn Life Limited is regulated by the Financial Regulator.