Pensions Matters

Offshore pension plans

Retirement Decumulation

Retirement is an exciting time for many of us, but not for those who experience retirement decumulation.

QROPS

QROPS transfers - rule changes

The last UK budget made significant changes to the rules for QROPS transfers and how they are taxed.

QROPS

Who is not eligible for QROPS?

Who is not eligible for QROPS? When considering an overseas pension transfer, it is important to note that not all pension funds are eligible to be treated as Qualifying Recognized Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS).

QROPS

Choose your currency with a QROPS

Expatriates planning on spending their retirement outside of the United Kingdom are most likely to be making the majority of their purchases in a currency other than British pounds.

Retirement in Spain

Retiring to Spain: Best Places

Retiring to Spain: best places As we reach retirement age many of us consider the prospect of retiring abroad. There is no secret formula as to which country, region, coastal area or city is the best retirement destination.

Retirement in Spain

Cost of Living in Spain compared to the UK

Cost of living in Spain In accordance with the 2011 census compiled by Eurostat, there are circa 800,000 British people that currently live and work in Spain.

QROPS

Pension schemes in the UK and Spain compared

Pension schemes in the UK and Spain comparedComparing pension schemes in the UK and Spain leads us, as always, to an analysis of how the transition to a ‘market-based’ approach to pension provision is being conducted.

Retirement in France

Cost of living in France compared to the UK

QROPS

European pensions and migration: the revolving door

European pensions, few current political issues attract as much controversy as immigration.

QROPS

Cryptocurrencies for pension plans?

How suitable are cryptocurrencies for pension plans you may ask...

EU Taxation Matters

The UK Budget - Autumn 2021

The UK budget contained a mixture of giveaways and takeaways; its impact on the public depends on individual circumstances.

Expats Life

Multi-jurisdiction divorce and pensions

Divorce can be a difficult process at the best of times. Even in relatively straightforward cases,

Pension Transfers

Tax-Efficient Investment Case Study

Mr and Mrs Smith seek a tax-efficient investment for their capital.

Pension Transfers

QNUPS and Estate Planning

Qualifying Non-UK Pension Schemes (QNUPS) are useful for UK expats to plan for future inheritance tax liabilities and provide additional retirement income.

EU Taxation Matters

Pensions review on the way

The newly elected Labour Government promised a pensions review as part of its manifesto.

Pension Transfers

QROPS or SIPP?

We are often asked whether a pension transfer is best to a QROPS or SIPP

Expats Life

New Lifetime Allowance rules

Just when the pension sector felt it could move forward, it faced a set of new Lifetime Allowance rules.

Pension Transfers

UK Budget 2024

The UK Budget 2024 was primed to be an important event in the financial calendar

Expats Life

Abolition of the LTA in the UK Budget

No one expected the abolition of the LTA in the Budget. Rumors always abound within the industry the week before..

Expats Life

Pension investment strategy

Investment markets have been volatile in the last few years.

Pension Transfers

Retirement planning: new year, new country?

Christmas is often a time for reflection. How was the past year? What will the new one be like? For some..

Pension Transfers

Updating your pension plan

Andy Warhol once said, “They always say time changes things, but you have to change them yourself...

Pension Transfers

QROPS transfers guidance

The financial industry welcomed the Pensions Regulator's guidance notes on QROPS transfers...

Expats Life

Pension transfer regulation

The UK government introduced new pension transfer regulation in November 2021 to combat pension scams...

Expats Life

Solving the mobile employee pension conundrum

I recently talked with a Human Resources professional about providing mobile employee pension benefits for their overseas workers.

Expats Life

Pensions for digital nomads

Pensions for digital nomads are in demand. The Covid 19 pandemic changed the world of work permanently...

EU Taxation Matters

Wealth Tax in Andalucia eliminated

The much despised Wealth Tax in Andalucia has been eliminated following Juanma Moreno’s recent election victory...

Pension Transfers

Sustainable Investments

Sustainable investments have come a long way since the days of simply excluding shares in funds that invest in ‘Bombs, Booze and Baccy..

Pension Transfers

Looking for low volatility investments

The fall in global stock markets in 2022 has resulted in many people searching for low volatility investments....

Expats Life

Best SIPP for EU residents

The best SIPP for EU residents is an International SIPP. Sometimes referred to as a ‘non-resident SIPP...

Expats Life

Cash management in uncertain times

Never has it been more important to be aware of cash management in our financial planning..

Expats Life

The truth about pension fees and charges

New disclosure regulations for investments into financial products have obliged providers..

Expats Life

Investments and Brexit: the end of passporting

Just when we all thought the EU/UK withdrawal agreement was done and dusted..

EU Taxation Matters

Wealth Tax in Spain

Wealth tax in Spain is regarded as being a 'blunt tool' used by the government to raise revenue.

EU Taxation Matters

Retire in Italy | Some useful tips!

If you are planning to retire in Italy there are some interesting options available to you...

EU Taxation Matters

Lifetime Allowance changes

This week saw the Westminster ‘Rumour Mill’ in full flow. Commentators and political pundits have been speculating...

Pension Transfers

The Portuguese compliant investment bond

The Portuguese compliant investment bond plays an important role in financial planning for expats...

Expats Life

QROPS tax on transfers post-Brexit

What type of QROPS tax should we expect post-Brexit? An important part of working in the financial industry is predicting future..

EU Taxation Matters

Financial planning: time for a spring clean!

The COVID-19 lockdown has prompted many to look for ways of using their extra spare time as productively as possible..

Pension Transfers

DB pension scheme trustees allowed flexibility to cope with COVID-19

The recent stock market sell-off caused by the COVID-19 virus has created unwanted consequences for pension trustees...