Hi Padraigin,
unfortunately, the devil is in the detail. You really have to analyse and summarise how you spend the €2,932 nett pay. Your mortgage is nil. Even if you increase saving to €1,000 per month, you are still going through €1,800 per month! For your level of income you are spending a lot.
Say for example you were to save €1,000 per month or 12k x 20 years = 240k you place on deposit (not including the interest)
The money is accessible and there is DIRT 41% on the interest every year.
You could put €1,000 per month into a pension plan or 12k x 20 years = 240k in your fund ( not including growth)
Just simply looking at the marginal income tax rate, because of tax relief @ 41% the annual 12k you put into the pension gives you a tax credit/refund of €12k X 41% = €4,920 per annum ie there is 12k in your pension fund but it has cost you only €7,080 per year. Because of the tax relief, it is an incentive. The 240k in your pension fund has cost you 140k. The 41% relief may be reduced by the Goverment at some stage in the future.
The pension money is generally inaccessible until your retirement age.
You don't need life insurance as you have no dependants. I am of similar age and health experience to yourself. I have a mortgage of 280k and much less income than you. I had to learn not to worry about financial items. You have been through the mill. Get the most out of life with your adult children (and grandchildren).