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 […]
What to do if you hold suspended funds in your pension portfolio
It can be extremely frustrating to have suspended funds in your pension portfolio. Illiquid funds were relatively rare before the financial crisis of 2007/8, as the alternative fund management industry was generally only available to wealthy and experienced investors, pension funds and large family offices. Most illiquid/toxic funds are categorised as Unregulated Collective Investment Schemes […]
When your financial advisers go bust
From time to time financial advisers go bust. Failure is a fact of life in business. Unfortunately, it can leave a trail of destruction in its wake. High-profile companies such as BHS caused stress and heartbreak for employees and retirees alike as their jobs, pension funds and benefits were suddenly at risk. Thankfully, as BHS […]
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 […]
The end of cold calling for pensions
Could this be the end of cold calling for pensions? Way back in the early 1980s we saw the emergence of a new breed of financial adviser; the cold calling direct salesman. Eager new recruits were handed a telephone directory and told to call as many unsuspecting victims they could in order to secure appointments […]
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 […]
Tax on pension transfers overseas
I’ve been scratching my head and trying to think of the benefits of the new UK tax on pension transfers overseas to the UK exchequer. Almost everywhere I look I see either exceptions to the rule, unfair taxation and future financial insecurity. To recap, the Chancellor recently introduced a UK tax on pension transfers overseas; this […]
Budget raid on QROPS
It’s Spring again, and time, therefore, for another budget raid on QROPS. How to balance the books? It looks like pensions, and in particular, QROPS, were the ‘fall guys’. Some of us may remember the radical reforms to pensions in the mid-80s. Back then, the demographic time bomb that was predicted to start exploding in […]
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 […]
Pension fraud and how to protect yourself
Ever since the UK government introduced The Pensions Act 2014, incidents of pension fraud have been on the increase. The reasons behind the introduction of ‘pensions freedoms’ are both worthy and necessary. However, this has not detracted fraudsters from exploiting the legislation. Almost 2 1/2 years after the event, the government and regulator are still […]
Brexit means Brexit means……..?
The meaning of Brexit may escape us all Following the UK’s momentous decision to leave the EU, pundits and commentators enjoy a feeding frenzy in the media, hanging on every word uttered by the main players. The Prime Minister’s “Brexit means Brexit” statement was supposed to clear the air and unify the government position on […]
Pensions and interest rates
Pensions and interest rates: the good, the bad and the ugly news! The old saying goes, ‘I have good news and bad news, which would you like to hear first?’. Given this choice, a majority prefer to hear the bad news first. The recent reduction in UK interest rates to 0.25% in response to pressures […]
Expat pensions and Brexit – How will it affect the pound in your pocket?
There is mounting concern for those living abroad over the impact of the devaluation of the pound and the link between expat pensions and Brexit. One of Harold Wilson’s most remembered pronouncements was that the devaluation of Sterling by 14% against the US Dollar in 1967 “would not affect the value of the pound in your […]
Retiring to the Algarve
Retiring to the Algarve in Portugal can be an attractive proposition for many expats. Along with the obvious lure of the ‘sun and sea’, there is also the added benefit of low taxation for retirees. Tax competitiveness is a well-established way of attracting the people you want to work or live in your country. The […]