We are currently in the process of updating our State Pension article. For definitive information, please visit the HMRC State Pension website and HMRC Site for people retiring abroad
Finding a lost pension
Lost pensions are not a new problem in the UK, although as expats near their retirement age, the realisation that they have not received any information about their pension recently suddenly rings home. It is estimated by some that there is over £3bn in unclaimed personal and workplace pensions held in the UK in over […]
Annuities
There has been a lot spoken about annuities over the years, but many people are still unsure exactly what they are. For anybody with a pension, whether to purchase an annuity or not is a big decision, and something which pension companies will push – but what are they exactly? Why do annuities exist? Despite […]
Options to mitigate the changes to UK Pension Lifetime Allowance
The Pensions Life Time Allowance (LTA) has reduced further, from £1.8m a few years ago, to £1m since the beginning of the 2016/2017 tax year. This means that any UK pension fund that is over that figure will be subject to excess tax at 55% on pension commencement lump sums and 25% on income taken […]
Pension deficits: Should you be concerned and what are your options?
While the BHS pension situation has hit the headlines, the number of defined benefit pension schemes that are running a pension deficit have been growing over recent years, all the while the pension deficits themselves continue to increase. While the pension regulators are doing all they can by working alongside the firms running the pension […]
Defined benefit pension schemes explained
Defined benefit pension schemes are often referred to as final salary pension schemes and is a pension scheme that promises to pay an income based on your final salary when you left the company/retired from that company. Unlike other schemes, the amount you’ll receive in your retirement is guaranteed, paid directly to you based on […]
SIPPs (Self Invested Personal Pensions) explained for expats
As the name suggests, a Self Invested Personal Pension (commonly called a SIPP) enables someone to investment into a pension for retirement, but making their own decisions about the investment options held within or, in most cases, have access to greater investment choices when dealing with financial advisors. In a nutshell, a SIPP carries the […]
QNUPS Explained
A QNUPS is a Qualified Non-UK Pension Scheme which was introduced by HMRC in February 2010 and is a regulated tax efficient pension scheme which allows investment of wealth overseas. Although a QNUPS is a pension fund it does have a degree of flexibility and has some significant tax advantages. Anyone is eligible to invest […]
QROPS Advice for Expats
This detailed overview of QROPS is designed to provide an independent overview of QROPS and overseas pension transfers. A Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes, or QROPS, is an overseas pension scheme that meets certain requirements set by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). A QROPS can receive the transfer of UK Pension Benefits in the vast […]