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- QROPS 2014
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- QROPS – HMRC Introduces changes that create havoc in the market place
- QROPS – All Change From April 2012
- Liva & Laia : 15th November
With no forewarning new draft regulations associated with QROPS were published by HMRC in December 2011 for consultation. The new rules once finalised are to be introduced with effect from 6 April 2012. The consultation period ended on 31 January. During January there was a flurry of activity as interested parties consulted with each other and professional bodies before submitting their representations.
We understand that it has been suggested by others that the proposed change in legislation re withdrawals from a New Zealand QROPS could be backdated to the date the proposals were announced. This is not the case and in fact the opposite may be true as there are indications that the introduction of the changes may be delayed until after 5 April 2012.
The Finance Bill 2012 draft regulations, the notes and HMRC draft guidance which accompanied it made the UK Government’s intentions very clear and sought comments from interested parties as to whether the revised legislation in the form of the new regulations would meet those policy intentions. Some of the contents of the drafts presented for comment contain errors not least in some of the associated forms and the draft guidance.
There is now the opportunity for the policy division of HMRC to consider the representations made and to lay before Parliament the final version of the new regulations. We understand that it is likely that this will happen during March coming into effect from 6 April 2012. The associated complexities are such that it would not surprise us at all if there were a slight delay in implementation.
By setting out its intentions HMRC has given jurisdictions such as Guernsey and the Isle of Man the opportunity to consider changes to their domestic legislation so that QROPS established in these jurisdictions may continue to operate post 6 April. Guernsey has published its own proposals for domestic law changes. The Guernsey Legislature stands ready to implement those changes if need be once the final UK regulations have been set in stone. We believe that Isle of Man as a jurisdiction is thinking similarly but its proposals are yet to be made public.
The key point here is that those who are currently members of QROPS in Guernsey or Isle of Man need have no cause for concern. Even if in the unlikely event QROPS in those jurisdictions were unable to satisfy the relevant conditions from 6 April it would not matter a great deal. In any event a transfer onto a compliant jurisdiction is normally pretty straightforward.
It is with great irony New Zealand as a jurisdiction is affected the most. One of the major attractions, 100 % encashment will be prevented. However, New Zealand schemes used as a long-term investment vehicle are a beneficiary of the new rules as they meet the requirements without any local legislative changes. In addition, New Zealand schemes will retain much more benefit flexibility than is provided by Guernsey or Isle of Man. For many, New Zealand will remain the most attractive jurisdiction.
Other jurisdictions are soon to enter the market. One in particular intends to make quite an impact. More on that as soon as we are able to reveal it.
- QROPS : Stop press - major changes on their way!
- Do you have a UK pension fund? How secure is it?
- Quantitative Easing - good or bad (or both) for your UK Pension Fund?
- Did Your Pension Fund Fall By 15 Percent in August ?
- New Zealand QROPS : Only Available For A Further 12 Months ?
- QROPS Jurisdictions in Focus : New Zealand
- QROPS Jurisdiction in Focus : Guernsey
- QROPS - the realities of giving and receiving advice
- QROPs - Choice of adviser and choice of jurisdiction
- Why not spring clean your pension ?
- Can I claim UK benefits if I am widowed in Spain ?
- Repatriation : Moving Back to the UK
- Claiming UK Benefits in Spain
- Claiming Sickness Benefit as an Autonomo - Self Employed worker
- Voting by post in Spanish elections
- Glossary of useful Legal, Financial & Procedural Phrases
- Should I Take Out Life Insurance ?
- State Subsidised Holidays For Pensioners
- Transfering your UK National Insurance Contributions to Spain
- Claiming a Spanish or UK Pension in Spain
- How can I claim my Winter Fuel Allowance ?
- Making a will in Spain
- QROPS – HMRC Introduces changes that create havoc in the market place
- The Economy : What can we look forward to in 2012 ?
- Beyond the tipping point - where next ?
- New Zealand QROPS - good news for all concerned
- Pensions and Politicians
- Changes re New Zealand QROPS - Things are becoming clearer
- QROPS Jurisdictions in Focus : A Round-Up
- QROPS Jurisdiction in Focus : Isle of Man
- QROPS for the UK Expat in Spain
- Could this happen to your UK pension fund?
- Maximising the outcome from your UK Pension fund
- UK Moves Towards Pension Flexibility - But QROPS Still The Expat Choice
- HM Treasury Propose Early Access To UK Pension Savings
- A Hidden Gem In The World Of Pensions
- QROPS - New Zealand in focus.