Financial Planning, Pensions, QROPS
UK Pension Freedom triggers 55% Tax
Transferring existing UK pensions into offshore schemes has become more and more popular for British Expats over the last few years, but new rules may have made the move less attractive. Pension freedoms, introduced from April 6th, mean that British savers who transfer their pension to Australia or New Zealand, for example, could face a shocking […]
Financial Planning, Pensions, QROPS, Retirement Planning
Prove you’re alive or lose state pension
Words of warning for British Expats; if you don’t want to lose your state pension, then you need to act. It is more than 100 years since David Lloyd George first oversaw the introduction of the state pension. At the time, he probably did not anticipate so many British pensioners choosing to live abroad. Equally, […]
British Pensions, Expat Retirement, Featured, Overseas, Retire Overseas, State Pension, UK Pensions
Financial Planning, Pensions, QROPS, Tax-free Growth
Changes to British Teachers’ Pension
In the UK, there will be changes to Teachers’ Pensions from 1 April 2015. Active members who have been building up benefits since joining, may now be wondering what will happen to them. The idea is that they will continue to be protected, and will remain in the final salary arrangements. However, it should be […]
British Pensions, Government Changes, Overseas Pension Schemes, QROPS, UK Pensions
Last chance for Civil Service Pensions
Qualified Recognised Overseas Pension transfers (a.k.a. QROPS) give individuals the ability to transfer frozen pensions out of the UK. They can be massively useful for expats, and for those that intend to retire abroad. From April 2015, anyone with a civil service pension frozen in the UK, will lose this ability due to Government changes. […]
Financial Planning, Pensions, Retirement Planning
New State Pension in UK Means Only 45% Will Get Full Amount
UK government figures show that in the first five years of the new, flat-rate state pension system, only 45% of pensioners will be fully entitled. The new, simplified, ‘fairer’ state pension system will see a single payment of about £150 made to new pensioners from April next year. It applies to new pensioners from April […]
Featured, Government Changes, Retirement Planning, UK Pensions
Pensions Under Pressure Because of Slow Economic Growth
Faltering economic growth and low investment returns are increasing the pressure on pension systems in developed countries in a fresh warning from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. We already have a problem with an ageing population, but that is being compounded by low investment returns, which is in part, due to low interest […]
Interest Rates, Long term Savings, QROPS, Retirement Planning, UK, UK Pensions
Financial Planning, Pensions, QROPS
State Pension Close to Extinction
One in six MPs believes the state pension will certainly be extinct in 30 years time, a survey has shown. Presently people who get to retirement age with a complete national insurance policy record get £113.10 a week. Cost of the payments is rising as Britain’s population ages, with official numbers revealing the expense will […]
Financial Planning, Long Term Savings, Pensions, Retirement Planning
Where will you be?
The graphic story of 100 young people, currently aged 25 years old. Forty years later, this is what awaits them at retirement age. FYI: 93% of those who live to retirement age will be dependent on friends, relatives, and charity! So maybe the question should be, where do you want to be?
Financial Planning, Pensions, QROPS
The end of public sector pension transfers
Pension transfers from public sector pension schemes will be banned forever in five months. This means that from April 2015 transfers will no longer be permitted from the following ‘unfunded’ public sector schemes: NHS Teachers Civil Service Police Armed Forces Fire fighters Pension members, who are thinking of moving abroad or who are already living […]
Army, Civil Service, Police, Public Sector Pensions, QROPS, Teachers, UK Pensions
Financial Planning, Pensions, QROPS, Retirement Planning, Tax Cut
UK Pension Update
A month ago the UK Chancellor, George Osborne, announced additional amendments to UK pension legislation to take effect from 6th April 2015. Whether you are living abroad, planning to live abroad or you intend to retire in the UK, you will feel the affects of these changes if you have a pension or pensions held […]
Pensions, QROPS, Retirement Planning, Tax Cuts, UK, UK Pensions
Financial Planning, Pensions, QROPS
Expat teachers make the most of QROPS (whilst it lasts)
Teachers from the UK are grabbing their final opportunity to transfer their pensions offshore before the door is permanently closed from April 2015. The public sector pension fund is severely depleted, threatening to shatter the retirement dreams of those who have worked at the forefront of British society for much of their lives. With the […]
