There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Spanish residency requirements for British expats in Spain. With only weeks to go until the so-called “do or die” Brexit promised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the question of Spanish residency is still as clear as mud. There are actions we can take to protect ourselves from a […]
The Spanish will
Where there’s a Spanish will, there’s a way to reduce inheritance taxes on your estate in Spain. “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”, so wrote Benjamin Franklin in 1789. These two events are often mutually exclusive. We pay our tax every year, but we only die once. […]
Malta QROPS
Significant changes to the Malta QROPS rules regarding investment management came into force on January 1st 2019. Malta QROPS providers are now legally required to ensure financial advisers are correctly regulated according to MiFID 2 (Markets in Financial Instruments Directive) rules. Providers were given 6 months leeway to work with advisers who were in […]
Spanish pensions for expats
Spanish pensions for expats are a rare commodity. It’s not just a question of the number of available products in the marketplace. It is also one of suitability in terms of the needs of those retired or currently working in Spain. This blog will examine some of the challenges that expats in Spain face when […]
Taxes for expats
Taxes for expats in Spain are levied on anyone who spends more than 183 days per year there. Many people manage their affairs in such a way that they maintain tax residence in their home country by ensuring that the 183 day limit is not breached. Some keep their fingers crossed, hoping the spotlight does […]
Sustaining pension income in retirement
Sustaining pension income in retirement is a common concern for most of us. We work hard to build up our pension pots, hoping that we can sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labour come the glorious day of retirement. However, for those in Defined Contribution (DC) plans, it’s still important to monitor and […]
The Spanish compliant investment bond
Thank goodness for the Spanish compliant investment bond! It seems like each country’s tax code has various ways of relieving us of our money. However, they also offer ways in which we can legitimately avoid taxation, as long as we purchase the correct financial products. In the UK most people are well aware of the […]
Pension freedoms are not free!
The advent of pension freedoms has altered the landscape for those planning their retirement. In an ideal world, everyone would be a member of a high-quality Defined Benefit (DB) pension scheme, whereby a sustainable retirement income is guaranteed for the lifetime of the individual. However, for those who are either self-employed or prefer a Defined […]
Brexit risks for pensions
There are a number of Brexit risks for pensions over the coming months. It’s a well-known maxim that investment markets and businesses crave certainty. Uncertainty creates problems in terms of where to invest, future income/expenditure projections and cash-flow management. No geopolitical issue in the last 70 years or so has created more uncertainty than Brexit. […]
Pensions and Brexit
There could be a showdown over pensions and Brexit at some stage in the near future. Pension providers and advisers have become accustomed to their clients being used as de facto cashpoint machines by the UK government treasury department. With each passing budget or spending review, the government seeks to raise funds. On too many […]
Cryptocurrencies for pension plans?
How suitable are cryptocurrencies for pension plans you may ask? There are literally thousands of cryptocurrencies available globally, but would you invest part of your SIPP or QROPS in one? Most of us have heard of the first entrants to the market and some might even have either dabbled in them or used them to […]
Double Taxation Treaties and Overseas Pension Transfers
Double Taxation Treaties (DTTs) are legal mechanisms between countries which ensure individuals and companies do not pay tax twice on the same trade, asset or income in both the country of source and that of residence. As such, if a British person who is tax resident in Spain holds assets in the UK, the DTT […]
Brexit impact on the city of London
Ever since the UK voted to leave the EU, there has been speculation about the Brexit impact on the city of London. Latest research from Reuters suggests that up to 9,000 jobs may be relocated. Dublin, Frankfurt and Paris are considered to be the most likely destinations. Relocating abroad Moving to a new house and/or […]
Election 2017: What’s in store for pension legislation?
Just when we thought that electioneering was the favourite pastime of politicians on mainland Europe, up pops Theresa May with her shock announcement of a UK general election to be held in June. Should we be concerned about changes to pension legislation? The answer is probably yes. If the Tories win as predicted, I expect them […]
HMRC ROPS
The rules relating to the taxation and regulation of overseas pension schemes are to be updated so that they are consistent with those of UK pensions. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) announced in a recent draft of the Finance Bill that as of April 2017, all recognised overseas pensions schemes (ROPS) located outside of the […]