Zurich boosts market share by 46%

A GOOD showing in an otherwise declining pensions market has boosted Zurich Life Ireland’s (formerly Eagle Star) market share by 46% to 16%, the company said yesterday.

It also used the publication of its results for the first nine months of the year to call on the Government to keep tax relief on pensions at the marginal rate.

“The implications of reduced tax relief will be a dramatic reduction in the amount saved for pensions, which is very serious given the relatively immature position of Irish pension provision,” said Zurich Life’s pensions director, Brendan Johnston.