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UK inflation rate falls – Good news?

How can that be?  Well this is the time of year that the figure is used to set the annual increases for some pensioners and disability benefits, as well as public service pensions and the state second pension.

Inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index fell to -0.1% in September, this was due to a smaller than usual rise in clothing prices, and falling motor fuel prices. The CPI rate has been at or close to zero for most of this year. It was last in negative territory in April. 

Most benefits will be frozen from April because of the latest data.

The law does not allow for a down rating of benefits, so the practical effect is that benefits are likely to be frozen from April. The exact change, or lack of it, will be approved by the government in the coming weeks. 

What this means for you is that pensioners here and in the UK could soon be facing a squeeze on living standards

Other News

Spotlight On … Paul Rhodes – Financial Adviser & Associate Director

Paul RhodesHow / why did you get into your line of work in the financial services sector?

I have always taken a keen interest in the day to day workings of the global economy, and how geopolitical events can affect the market. My career has always revolved around helping people find suitable solutions to seemingly challenging situations.

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Keeping the NHR Tax Regime Could Be Good for Portugal in 2018

Cave on beach in PortugalIn September 2017, it was announced that the Portuguese Government, following pressure from Sweden and a number of other European countries, was looking to water down the country’s non-habitual residency (NHR) tax regime, potentially bringing to an end a programme that has worked in the interests of expats since 2009. The uncertainty this proposed move provoked certainly threatened to put a dampener on the financial plans of quite a number of expats and would-be expats as they moved into 2018.

However, the budget proposal presented by the Portuguese government in November seemed to allay these fears. There was not a single mention of the scheme, which would have seen the introduction of a flat rate of tax of either 5% or 10% on income drawn from the pensions of NHRs.

In all probability any such move would have seen the pensions of existing expat NHRs unaffected; however, it would have presented a significant stumbling block to the retirement plans of many looking to move both their wealth and their residence status to the country.

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