Acorn Life Pension Funds

Ireland's only fully Irish-owned life and pension company

Acorn Life is unique as the only fully Irish-owned life and pension provider. Operating through a nationwide network of self-employed financial consultants, they offer a focused fund range with competitive charging. Their direct sales model means face-to-face advice in your own home.

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Funds tracked

Risk Rating Scale

Acorn Life uses the Summary Risk Indicator (SRI), calculated in accordance with EU legislation for Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products (PRIIPs). The SRI is based on a combination of market risk and credit risk, resulting in a rating between 1 (lower risk) and 7 (higher risk). The indicator is a guide to the level of risk associated with a fund and indicates how likely it is that the fund will be subject to market volatility.

Each fund’s factsheet includes a description of what that risk category means in practice:

Investors’ capital is not secure, can fluctuate, and investors may get back less than they originally invested.

Low risk funds: Generally aim to generate a return expected to be higher than that from deposits. Typically invest significant proportions in bonds (government and corporate) with lower levels of investment in other assets such as equities and cash. Risk can be reduced by investing across different sectors and geographic regions.
Medium-low risk funds: Generally aim to generate a return expected to be higher than that from deposits or fixed income assets and to be higher than inflation. Typically invest significant proportions in both equities and fixed income assets with lower levels of investment in other holdings such as cash.
Medium risk funds: Suitable for investors willing to accept a medium level of risk for the prospect of a higher expected return over the medium to long-term. Largest holding is generally a diversified mix of equities with significant investment in fixed income and lower levels in property-related assets and alternatives.
Medium-high to high risk funds: Focused on equity investment with potential for higher long-term returns but greater short-term fluctuation.

About Acorn Life

Key Considerations

Dual-manager model: Choice between HSBC (active/passive blend) and Mercer (passive index or multi-manager) - two distinct investment styles within one provider
Clear fund labelling: "Select" = passive index-tracking (lower cost), "Multi-Manager" = active/passive blend with specialist managers
All major risk levels covered: 14 funds from risk level 1 (deposit) through to risk level 6 (high equity)
Default lifecycle strategy: Automatically transitions from growth to moderate risk as retirement approaches
Irish-owned: The only life company with the Guaranteed Irish symbol, headquartered in Galway
Advisor-led: Distribution through Ask Acorn financial advisors nationwide

Investment Approach

Acorn Life's investment proposition is built around two external managers offering distinct styles:

HSBC Global Asset Management - manages 7 funds using an active and passive mix approach. Guiding principles: discipline not fashion; research and technology-driven; structured but not dogmatic; risk-focused. HSBC has developed a sustainable investment framework applied automatically to all funds under their management.

Mercer Global Investments - manages 7 funds split into two categories:

Select funds (passive): Pure index-tracking with low costs. Mercer monitors and rebalances.
Multi-Manager funds (active/passive mix): Mercer selects specialist managers for each asset class, monitors continuously, and replaces underperformers.

Fund Range

14 funds organised by risk level and management style:

Fund	Manager	Style	Risk (SRI)
Deposit Fund	HSBC	Active & Passive mix	1
Cautiously Managed	HSBC	Active & Passive mix	3
Cautious Select	Mercer	Passive	3
Moderate Select	Mercer	Passive	4
Managed	HSBC	Active & Passive mix	4
Target Return	HSBC	Active	4
Diversified Select	Mercer	Passive	4
Diversified Multi-Manager	Mercer	Active & Passive mix	4
Managed Growth	HSBC	Active & Passive mix	5
Dynamic Select	Mercer	Passive	5
Dynamic Multi-Manager	Mercer	Active & Passive mix	5
Managed High Equity	HSBC	Active & Passive mix	6
Adventurous Select	Mercer	Passive	6
Property	HSBC	Active	5

Key distinction: "Select" = passive index-tracking. "Multi-Manager" = active/passive mix with specialist managers. HSBC funds use active/passive blend except Target Return and Global Property (fully active).

ESG / Responsible Investment

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is a framework for evaluating companies on climate impact, working conditions, and corporate ethics. Acorn Life does not have its own entity-level ESG or responsible investment policy. ESG integration is entirely delegated to the external fund managers:

HSBC: UN PRI signatory. Sustainable investment framework applied automatically to all Acorn Life funds under their management. ESG considerations integrated into investment process.

Mercer: Responsible investment approach centred on ESG factor integration and active ownership.

Charges

Acorn Life applies the following charge types (specific rates agreed individually):

Annual Management Charge (AMC): Percentage of fund value deducted annually
Underlying Fund Charges: Additional charges within HSBC/Mercer funds (on top of AMC)
Non-Allocation Period (NAP): A period at the start of the policy when premiums are not invested, covering the costs of setting up the policy - up to 38 months depending on product
Policy Fee: Monthly/annual flat fee
Contribution Charge: Percentage deducted from each contribution before investment
Bid-Offer Spread: Difference between buying and selling unit prices
Fund Switch Charge: May apply when moving between funds (first switch per year typically free)
Surrender Penalties: Early exit charges may apply

Page content last reviewed 6 August 2026. Fund performance data is updated daily.

Frequently asked questions about Acorn Life pensions

Acorn Life is Ireland's only Irish-owned life assurance company. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Galway, it carries the Guaranteed Irish symbol. It is one of the few remaining indigenous life and pensions companies in Ireland.

Acorn Life offers 14 funds managed by two external managers: HSBC (7 funds, active and passive mix) and Mercer Global Investments (7 funds split into Select passive index-tracking funds and Multi-Manager active/passive blend funds). Risk levels span SRI 1 to 6.

Acorn Life's default starts in Dynamic Select (managed by Mercer, passive, SRI 5) and gradually transitions to Moderate Select (Mercer, passive, SRI 4) as retirement approaches. Portfolios are rebalanced annually with an ARF target.

Acorn Life charges include an AMC, underlying fund charges, a non-allocation period (up to 38 months where contributions do not purchase units), a policy fee, a contribution charge, a bid-offer spread, a possible fund switch charge, and surrender penalties for early exit.

Acorn Life does not have an entity-level ESG policy or dedicated ethical fund. ESG integration is delegated to their external managers - HSBC (a UN PRI signatory that applies a sustainable framework to all funds) and Mercer.

Acorn Life distributes primarily through its own tied advisor network, known as Ask Acorn. Unlike most other providers in the Irish market, they do not use independent broker distribution as their primary channel.