Those expecting a windfall from SSIA accounts, which will start paying out millions from tomorrow, have been advised not to go on a spending splurge and to either spend the money sensibly or continue saving.
Over €15 billion will be paid from now until next April from the Special Savings Incentive Accounts (SSIAs), a one-off initiative by the Government to encourage good saving habits.
Dermott Jewell, Consumers' Association
Financial experts have advised consumers not to view their SSIA funds as "free money", but to remember they have earned and saved it themselves, albeit with an additional 25 per cent bonus thrown in by the Government.
A recent survey by the Financial Regulator found that only 10 per cent of people planned to use their SSIA money to pay off debts. Others intend to spend the cash on home improvements, cars and holidays.
The first payout of money in SSIA accounts will happen tomorrow, June 1 st. More than 41,000 people are due to receive their matured SSIA money during the month.
Goodbody Stockbrokers estimates the average account holder will receive €13,800, making a total of some €567 million available to account holders in June alone.
A further 81,557 account holders will receive their money in July. In total, 1,094 million accounts worth €15 billion, are due to be paid out over the coming 12 months.
A survey published by Ulster Bank today finds customers split broadly into three groups with one third set to reinvest, a third indicating that they will spend and the final third of SSIA holders unsure what to do with their maturing accounts.
"Of SSIA account holders that plan to save or reinvest their maturing funds, 17 per cent indicated lump-sum investments, with property investment and investment in their children's education also mentioned, while only 2 per cent identified pension top-ups as the destination for their SSIAs," Ulster Bank said.
"Home improvement at 16 per cent topped the list for spenders, with cars and holidays coming close behind. Overall, two thirds of respondents indicated a preference to continue their monthly savings after SSIA maturity."
Dermott Jewell, chief executive of the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI) told ireland.comthe SSIA accounts had been a "fantastic initiative". However, he advised those with maturing accounts to take care how they spend the money.
"I would remind people that they have been, and they will be, marketed to every day until they decide to give the money to somebody."
He said people should listen to strong and independent financial advice from bodies such as the Financial Regulator and the Pensions Board, not to friends and colleagues deciding how to spend their money.
"If you have debt, and particularly if it's debt at a high interest rate, it makes sense to use a portion of it towards paying that off."
"Try to invest it so it continues to pay you back, because it has been a unique initiative," he said.
Dermott Jewell
"The Financial Regulator and the Pensions Board will provide the best advice and they won't be charging you for it."
Cyril McHugh, chief executive of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) said the car market was "sadly" flat and was performing at a similar rate to this time last year.
However, he said a spike of 14 per cent in demand for new cars last January may have indicated some extra spending on the basis of anticipated SSIA windfalls later in the year. Mr McHugh said SIMI would expect demand to grow, particularly in January of next year.
Other options for SSIA cash include a new Government initiative whereby people will receive an additional bonus if they put their money into a pension fund.