Financial Wellbeing

Mortgages (new & switching)

A mortgage market specialist can ensure you avail of the best offer in the market and not just the single mortgage package offered by an individual bank. This applies whether applying for a mortgage or switching your existing provider.

Affinity Advisors is an award winning financial advisory firm specialising in the provision of market-based mortgage and protection advice. This is a free on-site advisory service available to all UCD employees. For further information log on to the Affinity Advisors UCD page or contact Trevor Grant on 087 2721146 or 01 6533120 or email  trevor@affinityadv.ie.

Fees waived for UCD employees

Should you decide to engage Affinity Advisors they will waive their fee of €750 for arranging mortgage facilities, for UCD employees. 

Other mortgage specialists are available in the market.

Mortgage Protection (new & reviews of current policy)

Mortgage protection insurance is a life insurance policy that pays off your mortgage if you or your partner die during the term of the mortgage. It is a compulsory requirement save in exceptional circumstances.

Affinity Advisors provide market-based access to all protection providers including, Aviva, Friends First, Irish Life, New Ireland, Royal London and Zurich

The Affinity offering incorporates:

• Market based advice and options
• Best market price available for the cover required
• On site client meetings at times that suit you
• Full free financial review of your existing cover and requirements which may well lead to significant cost savings
• Personal service at all times, including during any claims period
• Access to OnePlan from Irish Life.  This product provides a unique policy which provides a combination of life cover, critical illness and income protection that is only available from a limited distribution channel

For further information log on to Affinity Advisors  or contact Trevor Grant on 087 2721146 or 01 6533120 or email  trevor@affinityadv.ie

Other mortgage protection specialists are available in the market.

Achieving Financial Wellbeing 

Catch up with all of Jim's webinars on our Financial Wellbeing playlist on YouTube.

Jim Stapleton

Jim Stapleton, a financial wellbeing professional, established Eolas Money, a financial planning and wellbeing practice in 2009. The company specialises in helping both personal and corporate clients throughout Ireland improve their financial wellbeing and navigate through the myriad of financial decisions that life throws at us.

Find out more on Eolasmoney.ie

The University has a legacy salary deduction scheme with VHI which, for many members, is due for renewal on the 1 March each year. 

In support of our financial wellbeing strategy, Culture & Engagement asked independent health insurance expert Dermot Goode in 2021 to undertake a high-level review of this group scheme.  Arising from this review, we understand that there are currently no additional benefits for members through this scheme by way of enhanced cover or premium discounts, which may have been available in the past.  It would also appear that many members may be insured on dated schemes that still provide good cover but are overly expensive compared to many of the new schemes now available (often from the same insurer).

We encourage you to review your needs and ensure you are obtaining the best value health insurance.

About Dermot Goode

Dermot Goode is the leading expert on healthcare benefits in Ireland and has presented to UCD employees on many occasions detailing how to save money on health insurance. He runs the only intermediary in Ireland, Total Health Cover, dealing exclusively in healthcare benefits (health insurance, dental, vision-care, cash plans). Should you wish for a more in depth review, Total Health Cover will review cover to help you source the best products at the lowest cost, covering all 340 plans available across VHI, Laya and Irish Life Health. All services are provided on a fee basis which ensures the best advance. For UCD employees, there is a 24% reduction in their standard fee, reducing the cost to €95. Dermot can be contacted at info@totalhealthcover.ie  

HSF Health Insurance

Our recent Health Insurance webinars have referenced the options available under health insurance ‘cash’ plans such as those offered by HSF, to help cover the cost of everyday health care expenses. Culture & Engagement have negotiated a UCD employee discount of 10% off HSF plans and the ability to avail of direct salary deductions.

If you have any dental work required, new glasses or contact lenses to purchase, join HSF Health Plan and you will be able to claim money back. HSF also include a phone and virtual GP service along with a prescription service with every plan they offer. What’s more, HSF cover many other every day health expenses that you can claim cash back for.

Learn more about HSF

Watch the new HSF video for further information on the plans available to you. If you would like to receive a booklet or have a chat about the cover that is available to you contact Craig Broome on +353 8767 65171 or craig.broome@hsf.ie

Heart Health Tips

HSF health plan is an employee health benefits provider. It is the trading company of the charity, The Hospital Saturday Fund.

HSF provide employee cash plans to help cover the cost of everyday health care expenses like GP fees, prescription costs, dental fees and glasses. Benefits include hospital, physiotherapy and complementary treatments, specialist consultations, health screening, personal injury and eye laser surgery. They also provide an Employee Assistance programme, HSF Assist® which includes access to a GP Advice Line, Virtual Doctor and Counselling Service.

Unlike other types of health insurance HSF health plan schemes are not claims or age related. Their plans can be used as a complement to exiting PMI Schemes or as an alternative. HSF health plan is available to UCD Employees at a discounted premium and with their family schemes, spouse/partner and any dependent children under age 21 can be included on cover at no extra cost.

Everyone who joins HSF health plan, just by belonging, are making a contribution to the important work of the charity, as the profits from the health cash plan go to the parent charity. Not something which usually happens when an insurance policy is taken out.

For more information on HSF health plan please contact us on 1890 451 451 or email enquires@hsf.ie

Culture & Engagement has negotiated a new Laya Healthcare discount for employees. Under the scheme, Laya Healthcare is making available to all UCD employees a 5% discount across all of their plans. They will also waive the 3% credit charge for anyone who wishes to pay in monthly instalment, giving a potential 8% saving.  The discount applies to all those named on the policy.

All employees have to do is quote the Group ID 27764 to get access to the University College Dublin Affinity Scheme. Laya Healthcare ask that you put your UCD email address as the contact method, as proof of UCD employment.

The scheme allows for an open renewal so those that are renewing at different months of the year can join the UCD Affinity Scheme as and when their renewal come ups. Those new to private medical insurance can join at any stage throughout the year.

Laya Healthcare can be contacted on 021 2022000 or layahealthcare.ie

Legal Services

There are many areas in life where you may need legal advice from a practising solicitor. From employment law to family law, from making a will to buying a home and much more, when you talk to a solicitor you avail of a range of benefits and protections unique to the solicitors’ profession. You should ensure that your chosen solicitor is a member of the Law Society and holds both a current practicing certificate and professional indemnity insurance.

About Dillon Solicitors

Dillon Solicitors has been offering a wide range of legal services to its substantial private and business client base since 1993. They provide a range of discounts for UCD employees and the facility to meet on campus.

Contact: Brendan Dillon, Dillon Solicitors, Unit A1 Nutgrove Office Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin14, Telephone No: 2960666 Email: brendandillon@dillon.ie Website: www.dillon.ie

Other firms of solicitors are available in the market.

Notes from: Dillon Solicitors - Legal Services briefing  (July 2019)

Cornmarket’s Tax Return Service

Cornmarket’s Tax Return Service specialise in ensuring customers are tax compliant. They aim to save you time, hassle and money when it comes to your taxes.

To contact Cornmarket email tax@cornmarket.ie or call on 01-4206780

For more information;

1. cornmarket.ie/inheritance-planning/
2. cornmarket.ie/tax-return-service/

Cornmarket

Cornmarket are the largest Public Sector financial services broker in Ireland. With nearly 50 years’ experience helping public sector employees with their financial needs. Everything from car, home, travel and health insurance to pensions and retirement planning and family protection.  Cornmarket help public sector employees on their financial journey throughout each of life’s stages. They work with over 40 public sector unions, associations and employers to negotiate excellent value financial products on their behalf. They are passionate about making a positive difference to the wellbeing of the Public Sector community in money, life and family whilst respecting our planet.

Home Insurance - New 2 Year Home Insurance Offer Exclusive to UCD Employees

Affinity Advisors have teamed up with Ireland’s leading home insurer Zurich Insurance, to put together a market leading 2 Year Home Insurance Policy exclusively for UCD employees.

• Policies will run for 2 years
• Underwritten by Zurich Insurance, A+ rated insurer
• Exclusive and discounted rates
• Price guarantee for the 2 years with no loadings or penalties applied in the event that you are unfortunate enough to have a claim
• FREE - €3,000 unspecified all risks
• Award winning customer service
• Fast and efficient claims service
• Specialised rates for first time buyers
• Premiums can be paid over 22 monthly instalments, from as little as €22 per month

For further information please visit www.affinityadv.ie/ucdhomecover or email homecover@affinityadv.ie

Other home insurance providers are available in the market.