UK Pension Transfers including QROPS

UPDATE:

This article is about UK Pension Transfers and NOT JUST QROPS.

So many changes have taken place, not just through BREXIT but for many other reasons too. One thing I must bring to your attention immediately:

If you were only offered QROPS and no alternatives, you have the WRONG ADVISER!

What are your future plans?                          Where are your pension funds?

When do you need income?                           What are your family circumstances?

What type of pension do you have?              Is this best for you?

Plus many other questions the adviser will discuss with you, must be discussed before a recommendation is made and you make the decision BEST FOR YOU. Always feel free to ask YOUR questions too.

QROPS may be best for you, but equally, it MAY NOT

This is one of my recent blogs which warns about getting misled by newspaper adverts:

  As it appeared on Twitter     

 DON'T BE MISLED Financial Pages in Spain: http://ow.ly/NLbm30rp9f3 Newspaper 'articles'             which are really ADVERTS #financial #pensions #Spain BEWARE Misleading & biased                     'information'

2021 Brings many changes

I am recommending readers of Financial Pages in Spain to get ADVANCED qualified advice and CAN and WILL recommend the RIGHT adviser.  EMail me to get the appropriate advice, on a personal basis.

I guarantee that you will be given only REGULATED advice, from an adviser with the CORRECT pension qualifications and very importantly, lots of experience IN SPAIN, if you contact me. Brief details by email are the best starting point, there is NO OBLIGATION and a guarantee of no up front charges.

There is lots more information before you can make up your mind and your questions WILL BE ANSWERED. Now is time to 'start the ball rolling'. REMEMBER, YOU have choices

 

David Goodall

Financial Pages in Spain

davidgoodall.spain@gmail.com

P.S. If your adviser doesn't consider alternatives to QROPS the you have the WRONG adviser!

Further Reading

Scam Watch Just say NO to cold calls

Professional Advice Always best

Foreign Exchange beating the banks on bank transfers!

UPDATE: Scam Watch

BEWARE:
Cold calls encouraging a ‘Review’ of your pensions

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK started a TV advertising campaign about Scammers &'Free' Pension Reviews. Financial Pages in Spain advises that this is exactly how many scammers operate in Spain. The watch word is CAUTION

Be mindful that unregulated companies are cold-calling consumers to offer high-risk investment advice.

They are also sending emails, text messages and using online advertising. That was the warning in the UK but in Spain they also advertise in newspapers and it is often difficult to distinguish the regulated from the unregulated.

If you let me know, I can tell you if a company is NOT regulated. Just Email 

The aim of the 'review' is to encourage you to move money from an existing personal or occupational pension to a self-invested personal pension (SIPP) or a small self-administered scheme (SSAS).

The money is then typically invested in investments not regulated by the FCA, such as overseas property developments, forestry or storage units known as store pods.

Such investments can be enormously risky and can be difficult to sell and consumers could lose all the money they move, reducing what they have to live on in retirement.

And they also have less protection should anything go wrong and may not be able to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).  Again, also, the FOS does not cover advice in Spain.

The majority of companies offering the reviews are not authorised by the FCA, although some falsely claim they are acting on its behalf. Others claim to be working with the government following the Budget commitment in March to introduce a free advice service for people at retirement.

Please Note:

Financial Pages in Spain ONLY refers readers to regulated advisers. In fact I am more than happy to give you the FCA registration details of anyone I recommend. Feel free to email me to be recommended or I can check out an adviser you have concerns about. Email

Professionals

·         My doctor is qualified, works in a practice with other professionals and I trust him   without hesitation

·         The veterinary practice we take the dog to is qualified I even know where he     studied and that he is a specialist in small animal health

·         My solicitor who I have known for many years is qualified in both UK and Spain

·         I could go on but I’m sure you’ve got the message. For contact My Email

David Goodall
Financial Pages in Spain

Email

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UK Pension Schemes or Plans but you have emigrated?

Ask for a review, without obligation, with a UK AUTHORISED adviser with experience of helping expats. UK Budget changes to Pensions make this VITAL

Types of schemes, options and regulated advice

It seems that every year, in the UK, there are new laws, new regulations, new ideas or changes to pension plans or schemes. Just to complicate matters there are still many arrangements which have different names! The changes announced in March 2015 are fundamental

UK Pension Plans and Schemes

Here are a list (and it probably isn’t exhaustive) of the titles sometimes used for pension plans. If you have one but don’t understand what it is, please email me.

PPP – Personal Pension Plan

SIPP – Self Invested Personal Pension

GPP – Group Personal Pension Plan

S32 – Section 32 Pension Transfer Plan

ShP - Stakeholder Pensions

PPTP – Personal Pension Transfer Plan

UP – Unsecured Pension

ID – Income Drawdown

ASP – Alternatively secured pension     

AVC – Additional Voluntary Contributions

FSAVC – Free Standing Additional Voluntary Contributions

COMPS – Contracted Out Money Purchase Scheme

CIMPS – Contracted In Money Purchase Scheme

EPP – Executive Pension Plan

RAC – Retirement Annuity Contract

Section 226 Annuities

Superannuation Schemes

SSAS – Small Self Administered Scheme

OPS – Occupational Pension Scheme

DBS – Defined Benefits Scheme

FSP – Final Salary Scheme (DBS & FSP are the same – different names)

S2P – State Second Pension

GPS – Graduated Pension Scheme

SERPS – State Earnings Related Pension Scheme

BSP - Basic State Pension

SRP – State Retirement Pension (BSP & SRP are the same)

Maybe, you’ve even got something with a name not covered here! Please email me if you want anything explained!

Even when you have understood the plan or scheme you have, there could be a whole variety of rules and regulations that you don’t understand.

What are Your Options?

This is not meant to be exhaustive and is generic, you really need to consult a reputable authorised pension adviser.

·        Do nothing

This is very much the worst option. If your circumstances are changed, including emigrating, you need to know the affect on your pension arrangements

• Take the benefits exactly as they were intended but transfer the pension income to Spain

This is often a good option but still needs to be reviewed. Circumstances change and you might have benefits you no longer need or you want to change the date of retirement. Many schemes have restrictive clauses which can affect your options and rights. You also need the correct tax treatment of your income.

• Bring your pensions together in a QROPS

For most people who emigrate, this is the best option, though it also needs caution and advice from a specialist. I recommend the ‘further reading’ below. In particular, beware of adverts which promise cash settlements and benefits before normal retirement date. If it sounds too good to be true, well you know the rest. Please email me for details of a genuine specialist.

• Bring your pensions together in a SIPP

You can certainly use this as an option. If your emigration is not permanent it could be a good one. However, the self investment aspect of a SIPP is often available within a QROPS. Not all SIPP trustees will allow investors who live outside the UK, so you certainly need specialist advice.

• Best decision : Review your pension options with an authorised UK pension transfer adviser

August 2014

Warning from HM Government about UK Pensions

From Steve Webb, Pensions Minister

“If cold callers offer you massive returns for your pension pot that are just too good to be true, it is because they are.”

Sunday Times August 10^th 2014

Warning

For most people, their Pension Fund is the biggest or second biggest asset. BEWARE Scam Watch as this post warns

David Goodall

Financial Pages in Spain

Email

Further Reading:

QROPS Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes

Pension Terms & Expressions

Do you transfer money, bank to bank on a regular basis? You can reduce the ‘currency risk’ with La Torre Fx – Foreign Exchange This service is also better than most banks for one off transfers

                              

The UK Government wants the Elderly to Emigrate!

There are clear indications that they do. Changes to ISA’s & Pension Annuities will be welcome in the UK, to working people and the retired but overall it suits the Government if the elderly emigrate

I realise that it sounds unlikely but there are reasons behind my view. Spain has many lifestyle advantages and those retired or near retirement might be encouraged to emigrate for the following reasons;

·       QROPS

Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes are for the BENEFIT of people emigrating or planning to emigrate from the UK.

After the recent reviews it was thought that the Government was discouraging transfers of pensions out of the UK. In reality, the changes announced in the last two Budgets are a warning shot to those who would seek to ‘misuse’ UK pension funds.

Whilst the new rules which, effectively, abolishes annuities will be welcome in the UK, QROPS which follow UK rules will also provide a benefit to UK expats too!

There is nothing which discourages retiring abroad. Please email me for more personal information

·       QNUPS

Qualifying Non-UK Pension Schemes benefit those who emigrate but would otherwise have a UK Inheritance Tax liability. It is necessary because UK IHT is based on ‘Domicile’ not ‘Residency’. Domicile is much more difficult to shake off!

This is a classic case of ENCOURAGING emigration. For more details please email me.

·       Taxation policy

I was somewhat shocked by George Osborne’s statement in Budget 2012 that there would be a review of age-related tax allowances. In reality the budget made the following two changes which negatively affect the over-65’s

1.     Those already in receipt of the Over 65 Age Allowance will see this ‘frozen’ for the following 3 years. In the past this allowance has been index-linked to counter the effects of inflation

2.     From 6^th April 2013, for people reaching the age of 65, the age allowance is scrapped! This means that anyone born after 5^th April 1948, will NOT receive the Age Allowance

Taking away age-related tax allowances might just be the ‘final straw’ for some people!

Readers should also be aware that this policy contrasts greatly with Spanish taxation policy. It’s too complex to explain here but individuals and couples can get professional advice by sending me an email and I can put you in touch with the right person. However, the Spanish system assumes that part of the retirement income is ‘capital’ which is untaxed and the minority is ‘interest’ which is taxed. This means the effective tax rate in Spain is MUCH LOWER than the UK when income is based on a pension or annuity.

• National Health Service (NHS)

The cost of treating elderly people is MUCH higher than that of younger citizens. That has been clear for many years but as the population lives longer, the cost will grow substantially. I cannot verify this but I was told that the cost of Healthcare for the over 60’s is TEN TIMES HIGHER than the under 60’s.

• Net Migration

The UK Government made pledges that it would reduce net migration, that is the difference between people leaving and immigrants.

This is important to the Conservatives under pressure from UKIP.

It suits the Governments statistics if more people emigrate.

It is very important that anyone contemplating moving to Spain should seek professional advice. I can give this guarantee that any professional that I refer you to WILL NOT charge an upfront fee.

Professional advice will have a cost but no advice could cost you everything

You might like also to read these posts from my Blog;

QROPS 2014

QNUPS 2014

Rent before you Buy

The Best Value for Money

Please enjoy Spain and remember if you are in the UK and elderly, your Government wants you to emigrate!

David Goodall

Financial Pages in Spain

Email: davidgoodall.spain@gmail.com

Explaining Pensions Terms and Expressions

This is an alphabetical list which helps to cut through the jargon often used when discussing pensions.

Incorporates changes made from 6 April 2013

·       UK pension plans / schemes applicable to expats

·       ALWAYS Get a professional Adviser

·       Understanding QROPS & QNUPS

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 6 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.

FCA - The Financial Conduct Authority
The FCA has taken on the role previouslyundertaken by the FSA - the UK's financial services regulator. The FCA also ‘passports’ authorised advisers to operate in other countries. For a recommended adviser click here.

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.

FSA
The Financial Services Authority - was replaced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in April 2013

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 was £1.5m in the 2012/13 tax year but reduced to £1.25 million in 2013/14, from 6^th April 2013. Anyone whose fund is approaching or is already above these figures needs to act soon! Please email me

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 often treated more favourably for tax purposes in other countries.

Money purchase pensions
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).

Pension Commencement Lump Sum (PCLS)
Though often referred to as ‘Tax-Free Lump Sum (see below), PCLS is more accurate as it MUST be taken as the first benefit.

Pension Liberation
Increasing numbers of pension savers are being targeted by unscrupulous companies encouraging them to access their pension savings early. This is commonly known as 'pension liberation' and has significant tax consequences. This is from HMRC Website

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 UK government brought out in February of 2010. This means that or a UK or non-UK resident, there is an opportunity to make contributions to overseas schemes, established as QNUPS, with the knowledge that those funds will be sheltered from UK IHT. Individual advice should be taken in all circumstances from a regulated and authorised adviser. Please email for a recommendation.

Q - Day
6^th 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 UK that is regulated and recognised for tax purposes as a pension scheme in the country in which it is located. The QROPS planholder and the QROPS policy don’t have to be in the same country and this is almost always an advantage. QROPS have been established in various countries across the world, many in jurisdictions with beneficial tax rules. QROPS can now also be established with similar rules to SIPP (please see below). For specialist advice click here

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.

Self invested Personal Pension (SIPP)
Essentially the same as a Personal Pension described above. However, with a SIPP the individual can exercise discretion over the investment policy, subject to the rules of the SIPP provider. This should always be done with professional guidance and if you want access to a specialist, please Email me

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 UK residents. Tax-free cash should correctly be called ‘Pension Commencement Lump Sum’ (PCLS) since it can only be taken as the first benefit from a pension Plan

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 UK residents or those intending to become non-resident, QROPS could be another alternative.


Pensions Advisers, including the ones that I recommend, will be happy to cut through the jargon. Email me for a recommendation

Additional Posts

QNUPS
http://expatsfrombritain.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/qnups-qualifying-non-uk-pension-schemes.html

QROPS
http://expatsfrombritain.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/qrops-comparing-jurisdictions.html

UK Pension Plan but you live in Spain
http://expatsfrombritain.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/uk-pension-scheme-or-plan-but-you-live.html

David Goodall

Financial Pages in Spain

Email: davidgoodall.spain@gmail.com