Includes QROPS Update
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Cut through the jargon
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Get a professional Adviser
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Understanding QROPS & QNUPS
This is a straightforward alphabetical list which helps to cut through the jargon often used when discussing pensions.
A Day
6 April 2006 was the day the UK Government pension simplification rules came into effect.
ASP - Alternatively secured pensions
At the age of 75 an alternatively secured pension would allow an individual withdrawal of income, similar to an unsecured pension fund such as income drawdown
Since 6th April 2011, no new ASP can be commenced but existing ones can continue until the next review date. The existing ASP fund can be transferred to Income Drawdown (Unsecured Pension) plan or an annuity commenced.
AVCs – Additional Voluntary Contributions
A pension top-up for an occupational pension scheme. The scheme members pay contributions into an arrangement run by the employer to boost the main pension.
FSAVCs – Free-Standing Additional Voluntary Contributions
A pension top-up policy for an occupational pension, but separate from the employer’s pension scheme and normally run by an insurance firm.
CNMV
Comision Nacional del Mercado
DGS
Direccion General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensions is the Spanish regulator for insurance products which can be marketed in
FSA
The Financial Services Authority - the
Group Personal Pension
A type of personal pension offered by some employers but not classified as occupational (see money purchase pension).
Lifetime allowance
This is a limit on the value of retirement benefits that you can draw from approved pension schemes before tax penalties apply. The Lifetime Allowance is £1.8m in the 2010/11 tax year.
Lifetime annuity
A lifetime annuity converts money from a pension fund into pension income,
which is taxable. There are different types to suit different circumstances and
generally treated favourably for tax purposes in Spain
Some occupational pensions and all personal, group personal, stakeholder, FSAVCs and some AVCs are money purchase pensions. The contributions are invested in, for example, the stockmarket or bonds. The size of the fund depends on the contributions and how well the investments perform. At retirement, there is a choice of options to provide you with a retirement income.
Occupational pension
These are only available through employers and run by pension scheme trustees. There are two types – salary-related (defined benefit) and money purchase (defined contribution).
Personal pension
A pension policy taken out by an individual from an insurance company or another financial institution and into which personal contributions are made. It may also be offered by employers.
Protected rights pension
This is the part of a pension fund which was used to contract out of the UK State Second Pension (SERPS or S2P) that must be used to buy a protected rights annuity.
QNUPS - Qualifying Non UK Pension Scheme, which means it meets the criteria set by the regulations the
By definition, a QROPS is a QNUPS but the reverse cannot be said.
Q - Day
6th April 2012 is the day on which fundamental changes to QROPS became effective.
QROPS - Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes
These became available from A-Day. It is a pension scheme set up outside the
Salary-related pension scheme (final salary or defined benefit)
A type of occupational pension. The amount of pension you get is worked out on your salary at or near retirement, or when you left employment, and your pensionable service.
Stakeholder pension
A type of personal pension that has to meet certain standards set by the UK Government. An individual can take one out or it may be available through an employer, but is not classified as occupational.
State Pension
The UK Pension Service (part of the Department for Work and Pensions) will pay the basic State Pension based on an individual’s National Insurance contribution record. In addition, individuals may also qualify for the State Second Pension based on their own earnings and National Insurance contributions.
State Second Pension
The State Second Pension is an additional State pension paid on top of your basic State Pension. This was called SERPS. Self-employed people cannot build up a State Second Pension.
Tax-free lump sum
An amount of cash set by tax law which you can take at retirement free of tax. Salary-related occupational pension schemes may have different rules on the amount of tax free cash you can take. This is only tax-free to
Unsecured Pension (Income Drawdown)
This is an alternative to buying an annuity but provides an income whilst the pension is still invested. At age 75, the unsecured pension must cease and be replaced by either a Lifetime Annuity or ASP. For non
Pensions Advisers, including the ones that I recommend, will be happy to cut through the jargon. Email me for a recommendation
The following further reading is also recommended;
QROPS (UPDATED) - Comparing Jurisdications
UK Pension but you Live in Spain
http://expatsfrombritain.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/new-generation-qrops-2012.html
Getting Professional Advice
http://expatsfrombritain.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/getting-professional-advice.html
David Goodall
Financial Pages in Spain
Email: davidgoodall.spain@gmail.com
