Financial advisers, fund managers, banks and other investment institutions are obliged to disclose all investment charges and fees before an individual commits to a pension transfer or portfolio agreement. If this actually happened, investors would be fully equipped to make an informed decision before it’s too late. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case; many only […]
New Lifetime Allowance rules
Just when the pension sector felt it could move forward, it faced a set of new Lifetime Allowance rules. In the 2023 budget, the Chancellor announced the abolition of the Lifetime Allowance (LTA). The legislation was supposed to be effective immediately, but as royal ascent wouldn’t be completed until February 2024, the pensions industry had […]
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, it’s a focus on retirement planning and a move abroad. Since Brexit, UK emigrees to EU States are now considered 3rd country nationals. In other words, in the same way as anyone who doesn’t […]
Multi-jurisdiction divorce and pensions
Divorce can be a difficult process at the best of times. Even in relatively straightforward cases, it’s a long and expensive procedure. Lawyers don’t come cheap, and the incidental costs associated with at least one partner finding new accommodation and establishing a new life are unavoidable. This article deals with the complexities of multi-jurisdiction divorce […]
QROPS transfers guidance
The financial industry welcomed the Pensions Regulator’s guidance notes on QROPS transfers. New rules designed to prevent scams were sorely needed as we have seen so many people’s pension pots decimated by criminal behaviour and poor adviser practises. However, pension providers often interpret the recently introduced red flag system incorrectly. This is unsurprising as insurance […]
Abolition of the LTA in the UK Budget
No one expected the abolition of the LTA in the Budget. Rumours always abound within the industry the week before, but major structural changes rarely happen. The industry expected the limit to be restored to £1.8m, but the Chancellor went even further, with the abolition of the LTA completely. The rationale was to encourage highly […]
Investment options
Not long ago, shareholders were limited to a narrow range of investment options. Employing a stockbroker was only open to the very wealthy; Unit Trusts were in their infancy and considered too risky for most, and With-Profit funds dominated the pension and endowment market. With-Profit funds were ok up to a point. However, they fell […]
Personal pensions and IHT
Countries worldwide are battling the financial consequences of Covid and the cost of living crisis. The UK is no different, with government resources struggling to provide services to the public. Into the fray stepped the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), a leading independent economic research institute, with proposals for personal pensions and IHT (inheritance tax). […]
Wealth Tax in Andalucia eliminated
The much despised Wealth Tax in Andalucia has been eliminated following Juanma Moreno’s recent election victory. Great news for Andalucian taxpayers! QROPS relationship with Wealth Tax has always been a contentious issue; at least we now know that they are definitely outside the scope of Wealth Tax for Andalucian (and Madrid) taxpayers, albeit by default. […]
How to avoid unnecessary investment management fees
Trying to understand investment management fees can be a challenge for investors. There’s an old saying about buying cars: no matter what the bodywork looks like, you should always look under the bonnet before committing to the purchase. The same applies to investment fund purchases. Marketeers are experts when describing their particular fund offerings’, the […]
Best SIPP for EU residents
The best SIPP for EU residents is an International SIPP. Sometimes referred to as a ‘non-resident SIPP’, it can be a useful retirement planning tool for expatriates. Many of us live, work or retire in an EU country and have a long ‘to-do list’ that needs ticking off before we can settle into everyday life. […]
The truth about pension fees and charges
New disclosure regulations for investments into financial products have obliged providers to make major changes to how pension fees and charges are presented to investors. These rules apply to all investment funds, pension plans, and QROPS trustee fees. Not only must pension fees and charges be disclosed before an adviser can complete an application, but […]
Investment risk management
Investment risk management is an on-going exercise if we wish to meet our financial planning goals. As our personal situation changes, it’s important that we alter our investment portfolio to reflect new needs and requirements. While it’s relatively easy to assess risk at the point of investing, unforeseen events can force a rethink. The most […]
The UK Budget – Autumn 2021
The UK budget contained a mixture of giveaways and takeaways; its impact on the public depends on individual circumstances. One consistency with each Chancellor is that the budget is always presented as a positive initiative from a forward-thinking politician! Rishi Sunak followed the trend, basing his tax and spending decisions on “levelling up” and “a […]
Wealth Tax in Spain
Wealth tax in Spain is regarded as being a ‘blunt tool’ used by the government to raise revenue. It seems particularly unfair as an individual’s wealth has been accumulated from assets and income which has already been taxed. The good news is there are ways to significantly reduce liability for wealth tax in Spain by […]