Equity-based SSIAs peforming well - report

Equity-based SSIAs posted a good performance for the second successive year, according to the latest report from actuarial consultancy…

Equity-based SSIAs posted a good performance for the second successive year, according to the latest report from actuarial consultancy Life Strategies.

The report said a typical equity-based SSIA, taken out towards the end of the SSIA scheme, "now ranks number one of the three account types in terms of both current values and estimated maturity values".

The total contribution to the scheme to date from individuals has amounted to €6,642 million; the total Government contribution to date was €1,620 million.

The report said: "Fixed rate accounts rank behind typical equity based SSIAs, but are well ahead of variable deposit accounts, as interest rates on variable accounts have remained at a low level in relative terms.

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"Compared with equity based SSIAs taken out at the start of the scheme, however, fixed rate deposits are expected to outperform at maturity."

Director Life Strategies Jim Murphy said: "A typical equity based SSIA taken out towards the end of the scheme is ahead of both fixed and variable deposit SSIAs in current value terms and is well placed to outperform the other account types to the end of the SSIA scheme."

Mr Murphy said: "By contrast, equity SSIAs taken out at the start of the scheme have not fared as well due to stockmarket falls in the first year, but overall have still good positive performance to date."

"This serves to underline the volatile nature of equity based SSIAs and the possibility that the gradual upward trend of stock-markets over the past couple of years could reverse before maturity of the SSIA scheme," he added.