The COVID-19 lockdown has prompted many to look for ways of using their extra spare time as productively as possible. For some, this includes reviewing their financial plan. We should always keep a close eye on our finances. It’s even more critical now that the fiscal effects of the COVID-19 crisis become apparent. Stock markets […]
Divorce and pension sharing
It’s an unfortunate fact of modern life that many marriages end in separation. Resolving issues relating to divorce and pension sharing is an essential part of any settlement. Even in the most amicable of cases, financial problems tend to focus the mind. Negotiations can become fraught if either side suspects the other of trying to […]
British in France Seek Expat Pension Advice on Brexit
Understanding the full ramifications of Brexit is likely to be impossible for some time to come. Many people need guidance on their tax situation and also expat pension advice. The British in France can attend meetings and receive valuable guidance from the Embassy regarding a whole host of post-Brexit concerns. A series of meetings have […]
Investment regulation changes post-Brexit for expats
There will inevitably be investment regulation changes post-Brexit. The rules on how expats purchase investment funds and who they can be advised by are set to alter. UK pension providers are already preparing for the post-Brexit world by making it difficult (or even impossible) for their expat clients to continue to receive benefits or contribute […]
Financial planning and Brexit
There are many issues surrounding financial planning and Brexit that expats should be aware of. I’m going to make a bold prediction though. Life will go on even if the UK decides to leave Europe! I don’t say this glibly. History shows that every time major political and economic events rock our world, we can […]
The French will
It is vitally important to write a French will if you live in France. French inheritance rules are relatively complex. Understanding how they work and what can be done to mitigate tax requires the input of various professional parties. When someone dies without a will, the estate of the deceased is distributed in accordance with the rules of intestacy […]
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 […]
Pension transfer cost
As QROPS advisers, we are often asked how much a pension transfer costs and how long a pension transfer takes. It may come as a surprise for some, but the daily life of a financial adviser isn’t all fast cars, glamourous locations, and champagne lifestyles (Ho ho!). Pension transfers are a relatively complex administrative procedure, […]
Low cost QROPS
As we near the date of Brexit, there is a rising interest in UK pension transfers and also a demand for low cost QROPS solutions. The market for Qualifying Recognised Offshore Pension Schemes (QROPS) as a vehicle for UK pension transfers has developed significantly in the last few years. Changes in UK Government pensions legislation, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Common Reporting Standards – threat or opportunity?
Common Reporting Standards are coming to a place near you. It is not just the wealthy that need to worry……! The International Consortium of Journalists (ICJ) unearthed a global can of worms with allegations of large-scale tax evasion following their investigation into what are now known as The Panama Papers. Slowly, governments around the world […]
QROPS case example
This article looks at a QROPS case example and examines the technical aspects of such a vehicle. A QROPS or Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme is quite a mouthful but put simply it is a transfer of an individual pension fund from one country to another. EU legislation exists which enables these transfers, although individual countries […]
QROPS in France – Happy New Regime!
January is a good time, for those with a QROPS in France, to recap on recent developments in UK pension legislation. Things are always changing in the world of QROPS. Let’s consider how these changes will affect those living in France. QROPS in France – legislation developments On 17 June 2013 the French law, Loi de […]
UK pension transfers to France
With UK pension transfers to France becoming ever more popular, expats need to stay abreast of developments in the marketplace. With over 3000 providers on the official QROPS list, there are many different jurisdictions to choose from. It is necessary to be sure, however, that your UK pension transfer is being handled by a provider/jurisdiction […]