Just when we all thought the EU/UK withdrawal agreement was done and dusted, it looks like we will have to suffer many more months, or possibly years, of uncertainty over investments and Brexit. There has been much publicity surrounding the Irish border question and fishing rights, but many other issues need to be negotiated before […]
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. […]
Brexit and SIPPs
Brexit and SIPPs – Many expatriates either have Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) or Personal Pensions (PPs) dating back to when they worked in the UK. Whilst they are a good way to save for retirement, when someone moves abroad for work or to retire, it is possible that changes need to be made in […]
Brexit and Pensions
The relationship between Brexit and pensions is not quite ‘top of the agenda’ in EU / UK discussions. We appear to be still in the early Brexit phase, where more questions than answers are being put forward. Even so, it is important to be prepared for a range of outcomes to avoid any unpleasant surprises […]
The collapse of Carillion and its defined benefit pension scheme
The collapse of Carillion has led to significant problems with the defined benefit pension scheme. Once again the politics of private enterprise providing public services has dominated the news. As it seems with everything politics-related, more heat than light has been produced with both main UK parties putting forward their points of view. The collapse […]
What can a SIPP invest in if you retire in France?
What can a SIPP invest in if you decide to retire in France? Our financial planning strategy is one of those areas that we all need to update, revise and modify from time to time wherever we live. As moving to another country means dealing with a new financial system, it makes sense to get […]
Retirement Decumulation
Retirement is an exciting time for many of us, but not for those who experience retirement decumulation. It can be a daunting challenge when the certainty of employment income ceases and we have to live off built-up resources until we draw our last breath. This problem is less evident for those lucky enough to have […]
No changes for pensions in the UK budget
Successive chancellors have chipped away at pensions in the UK budget, with change after change being imposed on savers and retirees. More often than not there has been little room for discussion or debate with the industry. Whilst on one hand no change is a good thing, on the other some were hoping for an […]
UK pension transfers to the US
The imposition of the Overseas Transfer Charge (OTC) on certain QROPS earlier this year has narrowed the range of options for those considering UK pension transfers to the US. There is still a demand however from US citizens or foreigners living in the USA for an appropriate transfer vehicle. The good news is that this […]
QROPS developments in France during 2017
There have been several significant QROPS developments in France over the last year. France remains one of the most popular destinations for British expats to retire abroad. It is estimated that 300,000 currently reside there. Changes in pension legislation have a direct impact on the livelihood of retirees. Removal of French PERPS as recognised QROPS One […]
The impact of Sterling on pensions
The impact of Sterling on pensions becomes more evident as the Brexit situation unfolds. Currency markets have been turbulent since the UK voted to leave the EU. Sterling fell by around 18% against the Euro and US$ in the immediate aftermath; pundits have been having a field day ever since. Some say Sterling is doomed […]
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 […]