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Data Reveals Expat Cost of Living Impact

In short, uncertainties regarding Brexit have served to compound a period of global volatility in which the prevailing politically centrist paradigms are being challenged by new polarisations, the US and China have become embroiled in a trade war and the developed world is facing mounting concerns regarding its capacity to maintain state healthcare and pensions systems for an ageing population.

Plan ahead to retain your purchasing power

According to the Office for National Statistics there were more than 207,000 retirement age UK nationals living in the EU in 2017.** If you are one of these and wish to retain your purchasing power during times of volatility, whether these are attributable to Brexit or to other factors, it is essential that you plan ahead by speaking with your expat financial adviser.

One strategy is to consider the possibility of an expat retirement transfer. All pension fund members are subject to the ups and downs of currency shifts, but by making a transfer and having a robust plan in place, you may be able to mitigate any increases in the cost of living.

It is important that you sit down with your financial adviser to discuss the possible impacts of currency exchange rate movements on your retirement assets and cash flow so that you can find the best way to achieve your retirement goals regardless of the vagaries of the market.

Advice from Blacktower Financial Management

If you would like to consider the ways you can retain your purchasing power even in the face of inflation and currency exchange rate movements, speak to Blacktower Financial Management’s expat financial advisers today about the possibility of finding a suitable cross-border solution.

Blacktower Financial Management provides personalised and regulated advice so that you can make the most of your expat pension and your long-term financial goals. Whether you live in Spain, Germany, Sweden or elsewhere in Europe, contact your local Blacktower Financial Management office today.

*  https://equiniti.com/uk/news-and-views/news-releases/cost-of-living-for-uk-expat-pensioners-in-eu-rises-twice-as-fast-as-in-uk/

**https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration/articles/livingabroad/april2018

Disclaimer: The provision of information in this communication is not based on your individual circumstances and does not constitute investment advice.

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Other News

Changes to the Dutch 30% reimbursement ruling confirmed

Thirty Percent SignRecent news about the 30% tax ruling in the Netherlands could have substantial implications for British expats and their financial planning and wealth management strategies.

The 30% tax ruling for expats in the Netherlands enables employers to offer working expats 30% of their salary tax-free as long as they meet certain requirements. The intended aim is to encourage highly skilled workers from around the globe to bring their expertise to the Netherlands. After all, relocating to the Netherlands is not cheap, and the tax advantage is there to help offset all the expense that comes with relocating. There are approximately 60,000 expats who currently claim the tax break.

As we reported last year, the tax break came under fire in a report published by the Dutch research bureau Dialogic for being far too generous and, therefore, costing the Dutch government too much money for it to be sustainable. When published in June 2017, the report suggested several reforms to the system, including shortening the number of years that expats could claim the tax-relief from eight years to five. This was because research carried out by Dialogic found that the vast majority of expats making use of the benefit (80%) claimed it for fewer than five years; less than 10% actually claimed the benefit for the full eight years.

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QROPS Uptake is in Decline but Suitability is Still the Key Question

Tick and CrossNew data from HM Revenue & Customs reveals that the combined value of retirement transfers to QROPS fell to £740 million in the 2017-2018 tax year, the first period since the government introduced a 25% tax charge, with the number of pension transfers down to 4,700 from 9,700.

Given the scale of the pension transfer tax, the drop recorded by HMRC in QROPS transfers should come as no surprise. However, as the figures do not differentiate between transfers made by UK citizens and expat retirement transfers, it is difficult to know what, if any, difference the new levy has had on the decisions of expats.

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