Rise in Red Flag Activity Not as Simple as Stats Suggest
UK pensions consultancy, XPS Pensions Group (XPS), has reported a concerning rise in "red flag" pension transfer scam activity. It says that the number of red flag incidents rose from 13% in June 2018 to 34% in June 2019 and calculated the total value of the pensions savings placed at risk during the 12-month period at £73,000,000*.
It is possible that the rise in red flags could be a by-product of the enhanced reporting processes that came into effect with the June 2018 revisions to the Pension Scams Industry Group (PSIG) Code of Good Practice (originally published in 2015). These served to highlight pension scam warning signs, to encourage greater awareness of fee and charging structures, and to improve communication between pension schemes and their members.
PRR Proposals Could Place Unfair Burden on New Expats
HMRC proposals to dispense with private residence relief (PRR) could be a stumbling block for expat's wealth management plans as significant amounts of capital gains tax relief could be lost if the proposals become law. But what is PRR, and what does PRR mean for new expats?
ABI and FCA Highlight Pensions Advice Shortfall
Receiving independent, regulated financial advice on an expat retirement transfer is essential for any person who is considering the possibility of converting their existing pension scheme into a QROPS or SIPPS.
However, analysis by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reveal worrying trends.
In 2018, the FCA published research findings showing that during the 12-month survey period 91% of UK adults did not obtain regulated financial advice.*
Data Reveals Expat Cost of Living Impact
How is the outcome of the Brexit process likely to affect your purchasing power as a British citizen living as an expat in Europe?
This question should have priority in your checklist of expat wealth management concerns right now as British expat retirees in Europe are facing the reality of trying to cope with steeper rises in living costs than what is being experienced by their UK-based equivalents.
The revelation comes in the form of a data release from international technology-led services and payments specialist Equiniti. The firm found that British retirees who live in Europe have seen currency shifts contributing to a 14% rise in their cost of living – nearly double the UK's domestic inflation rate of 7%.*
OECD Forum Speaker Says Retirement Savers Need Empowerment
On 20 May 2019, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Forum 2019 in Paris heard from Aegon CEO Alex Wynaendts during a panel discussion*, in which he said that rising longevity "should be a gift and not a worry".
However, he noted, preparing for this gift presents a challenge which needs to be addressed not only by the individual but as a joint action with employers and governments as well.
SIPPs Suitability a Key Question for Expats in Spain
A SIPP transfer may offer many benefits, including greater investment flexibility and exemption from capital gains and income tax; however, a SIPP is not suitable for every retirement investor and independent expat financial planning advice should always be sought before committing to a SIPP pension transfer.
Unfortunately, there are some Spain wealth management clients who can testify to the consequences of not seeking suitable independent SIPPs advice; the firm Pension Claim Consulting recently announced that it had taken on 141 claims from expats who believe they have been mis-sold a SIPP pension in the last year.
"We are handling more claims from worried expats than ever before," commented a spokesperson with the firm*.
Court of Appeal’s Expat Tax Ruling
Expat financial planning clients should be aware that HM Revenue & Customs have increased powers to ensure full disclosure of financial information in order to assess tax liability.
This follows a ruling by the Court of Appeal in London* in which the Court upheld the right of HMRC to demand compliance from a UK-connected individual living in Dubai.
The case clearly indicates that UK-interested parties with cross-border financial interests must consider their UK tax liabilities as part of their wider expat financial plans.
Reclaiming the QROPS Transfer Charge – Clarification of Regulations
HM Revenue & Customs has introduced new regulations to make it easier to reclaim the QROPS overseas pension transfer charge. The rules came into effect on April 25, 2019 following a decision by the House of Commons on April 3, 2019.
The Pension Schemes (Information Requirements – Repayment of Overseas Transfer Charge) Regulations 2019* outline the necessary procedures for recovering the charge in cases where it has been incorrectly levied or a change in the member's situation means that the charge is no longer applicable and a retroactive exemption can be applied.