Research by consumer watchdog “Which” has found that UK bank fees for overseas transactions are too high and too complicated, labelling them as “exorbitant”. Their researchers popped over to Calais at the end of last year to compare the amount charged by different banks for the same EUR5.95 debit card purchase and EUR20 ATM withdrawal. […]
Archive | February, 2012
Pension Unlocking/Reciprocation Schemes
In an unprecedented move, the UK Financial Services Authority, HMRC and the Pensions Regulator released a joint statement a couple of days ago, warning consumers to steer clear of pension offers that claim to be able to provide loans or release tax-free cash from people’s pension pots before they reach age 55. You can read […]
EEA Life Settlements Fund Update
An update for anyone who is currently locked into the EEA Life Settlements fund. According to their marketing director, Peter Winders, they plan to reopen the fund “as soon as possible”. They are just waiting for the outcome of a FSA consultation on the sale of these types of investment, which should be published in […]
Consider This When Looking Into QROPS
I know that QROPS schemes have their place and they certainly have real benefits for some. However, if your current pension is a with-profits scheme, here is something that you MUST ask before deciding to trade it in for a QROPS. Does your current scheme have a guaranteed annuity? A lot of with-profits schemes do […]
5 ISA Rules for Expats
The rules for expats/UK non-residents regarding Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are as follows: 1. You CANNOT open a new ISA. 2. You CANNOT contribute to an existing ISA. 3. You CAN keep the money that you have invested into an ISA to date where it is. 4. Any income or capital gain generated from the […]
3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Write a Will
1. When you die, you would rather someone else decided what will happen to your property, possessions and assets. 2. You don’t particularly like your family and would like to make things that much more difficult for them in the event of your death. 3. You are concerned about the size of Britain’s deficit and […]
Countries in Which the UK State Pension is Increased Annually
If you retire in Britain, your state pension will increase in line with inflation. It may be the government’s massaged version of inflation as opposed to reality, but at least your pension will increase. If you are receiving a UK state pension while living overseas however, you may find that once you start drawing it, […]
Is Your Fund a Dog?
Bestinvest has just launched it’s latest “spot the dog” report. This bi-annual survey names and shames the poorest performing funds across a range of investment sectors (income, international, emerging market etc). As you can imagine there are those in the fund management industry who are not particularly fond of this report. Some of the names […]
Zurich is Now the World’s Most Expensive City in Which to Live
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) bi-annual Worldwide Cost of Living Index, Zurich has overtaken Tokyo to become the most expensive city in the world in which to live. The result is based on survey of the prices of more than 160 goods and services including food, drink, clothing, household goods, personal care items, home rents, transport, […]
Obtaining a UK State Pension Forecast
The best way to establish the number of qualifying years that you already have as well as the level of state pension that you can currently expect, is to contact the state pension forecasting team in Newcastle. Their telephone number is +44 191 218 3600. If you contact them, they will then send you the […]
For a free financial healthcheck contact us today.
- Generali Vision – Cooling Off Period
- What Is Time Apportionment Relief?
- DeVere Warn Against Pension Busting
- QROPS Provider in Liquidation
- What is a UCIS?
- Gold Suffers Worst Monthly Run for 16 Years
- What is a QROPS?
- Week in Focus – One Step Ahead
- Bond of the Week
- Warning: if the taxman gets your bill wrong it’s officially your fault
-
The Expat IFA: Hi Mary, thanks for taking the time to get in touc…
-
Mary: Do I get this time apportionment relief on a Gener…
-
6 Ways To Wreck Your Retirement | Expat Financial Cents: [...] experienced with them. Derivatives, small ca…
-
-
