AVCs or fine art? That is the question

This is the time of year when those of us who do not have the luxury of a defined benefit pension scheme have to do some head-scratching.

October is the month when I and many others have to decide if we can afford a payment into our pension pot.

The technician tells me only a fool will ignore the opportunity to have the Revenue authorities hand me a cheque for a tax refund linked to an annual voluntary contribution (AVC).