UK Pension Transfers - updated for 2020
Dec 3rd 2019, 12:35 am
#1
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UK Pension Transfers - updated for 2020
This post is up to date as at 03/12/2019 and concerns private UK pension savings. It does not address UK State Pensions (see this post for info on State Pensions).
Background: The ability to transfer a UK pension to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) began in April 2006. Since that time there has been 7 major changes to the rules either in NZ or the UK (or sometimes both). In other words, what may have been true in previous years, may no longer be relevant now. Before undertaking any action with a UK pension, it is vital to seek advice from a specialist adviser with experience and expertise in this complex sector.
1. Defined Contribution schemes (also known as money purchase schemes) and Defined Benefit Schemes (often referred to as final salary schemes) are permitted to be transferred.
2. UK Government funded final salary schemes cannot be transferred overseas (NHS, Teachers, Armed Forces etc). Those schemes will have to stay put until retirement. We originally thought there might be some exclusion clause that would allow overseas residents to transfer such schemes but this has not been forthcoming.
3. If transferring a UK Pension savings scheme to NZ, it must be transferred to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS for short).
4. Some KiwiSaver schemes previously qualified, however from 6th of April 2015, KiwiSaver schemes were no longer permitted to receive transfers. This is due to the ability to make withdrawals before age 55 in certain circumstances, such as Financial Hardship and Permanent immigration from NZ. What if you have previously made a transfer to KiwiSaver? No problem, it just continues as before - withdrawals available from age 65.
5. There are approximately 14 qualifying QROPS scheme in New Zealand. Each one has advantages, disadvantages, different investment options, different fees and some may permit investing in difference currencies (such as GBP) while waiting for exchange rate movements.
6. Transfers from a pension scheme to a NZ scheme is a taxable event. If a transfer is made within the first 4 years of arriving in NZ, then no tax is payable on the transfer. After the 4 year anniversary, tax is payable to the NZ IRD based on a sliding scale and the number of years since the end of the 4 year anniversary. More information is available with the IR1024 fact sheet on this issue. If you are a returning resident, or have previously lived in NZ, then you may qualify for a general 4 year exemption. It is important to seek tax advice on this issue to avoid nasty shocks.
7. Since April 2015, the UK permits 100% withdrawals from a UK Pension scheme directly to the named holder. Tax may be withheld at source in the UK which you may be able to claim back if you are not tax resident in the UK. However a withdrawal from a UK Pension is a taxable event and tax is required to be paid on the FULL amount in New Zealand for NZ tax residents. This clause may be helpful for “Transitional Residents” over age 55 and recently arrived in NZ.
8. From April 2017, full flexibility is available for withdrawals from NZ QROPS schemes. Some schemes have instigated exit penalties if making a withdrawal within a set timeframe, you will need to check with the NZ scheme before making a decision to transfer. Not all schemes have exit penalties. To complicate matters further, the UK Govt have a 5 year and a 10 year “member payment provision” or may clawback UK tax relief. Advice is essential to avoid penalties and tax surprises.
9. Overseas Transfer Charge (OTC) – For new transfers from 9th March 2017, investors need to be aware of the OTC. This has been introduced by the UK authorities and is payable in certain situations. There are some exemptions including transferring your UK pension to a QROPS that is in the same country that you are living in. For example, if you live in NZ and transfer to a NZ scheme, then the exemption applies. However, if your circumstances change within 5 tax years of making the transfer, the OTC of 25% could become payable to HMRC. Transfers made before 09/03/2017 are excluded from OTC.
10. In the first point, it mentions “Final Salary” schemes can be transferred. This type of scheme is considered highly valuable and should not be transferred without expert advice. The UK Govt insist by law that a Pension Transfer Report is required before a transfer can take place, only UK regulated advisers are permitted to prepare these reports. The cost of such reports has been rising due to regulatory pressure in the UK and as at time of writing the cost is between £1,500 and £3,000. While this adds to the complexity, costs, and time that it takes to complete a transfer, it does mean you receive appropriate information to enable an informed decision.
This area of financial advice can be quite technical, one question can lead to another and what is right for one person may not be right for another. Please seek advice from a suitable Adviser before making any financial decisions.
Best wishes.
chc4me
Background: The ability to transfer a UK pension to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) began in April 2006. Since that time there has been 7 major changes to the rules either in NZ or the UK (or sometimes both). In other words, what may have been true in previous years, may no longer be relevant now. Before undertaking any action with a UK pension, it is vital to seek advice from a specialist adviser with experience and expertise in this complex sector.
1. Defined Contribution schemes (also known as money purchase schemes) and Defined Benefit Schemes (often referred to as final salary schemes) are permitted to be transferred.
2. UK Government funded final salary schemes cannot be transferred overseas (NHS, Teachers, Armed Forces etc). Those schemes will have to stay put until retirement. We originally thought there might be some exclusion clause that would allow overseas residents to transfer such schemes but this has not been forthcoming.
3. If transferring a UK Pension savings scheme to NZ, it must be transferred to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS for short).
4. Some KiwiSaver schemes previously qualified, however from 6th of April 2015, KiwiSaver schemes were no longer permitted to receive transfers. This is due to the ability to make withdrawals before age 55 in certain circumstances, such as Financial Hardship and Permanent immigration from NZ. What if you have previously made a transfer to KiwiSaver? No problem, it just continues as before - withdrawals available from age 65.
5. There are approximately 14 qualifying QROPS scheme in New Zealand. Each one has advantages, disadvantages, different investment options, different fees and some may permit investing in difference currencies (such as GBP) while waiting for exchange rate movements.
6. Transfers from a pension scheme to a NZ scheme is a taxable event. If a transfer is made within the first 4 years of arriving in NZ, then no tax is payable on the transfer. After the 4 year anniversary, tax is payable to the NZ IRD based on a sliding scale and the number of years since the end of the 4 year anniversary. More information is available with the IR1024 fact sheet on this issue. If you are a returning resident, or have previously lived in NZ, then you may qualify for a general 4 year exemption. It is important to seek tax advice on this issue to avoid nasty shocks.
7. Since April 2015, the UK permits 100% withdrawals from a UK Pension scheme directly to the named holder. Tax may be withheld at source in the UK which you may be able to claim back if you are not tax resident in the UK. However a withdrawal from a UK Pension is a taxable event and tax is required to be paid on the FULL amount in New Zealand for NZ tax residents. This clause may be helpful for “Transitional Residents” over age 55 and recently arrived in NZ.
8. From April 2017, full flexibility is available for withdrawals from NZ QROPS schemes. Some schemes have instigated exit penalties if making a withdrawal within a set timeframe, you will need to check with the NZ scheme before making a decision to transfer. Not all schemes have exit penalties. To complicate matters further, the UK Govt have a 5 year and a 10 year “member payment provision” or may clawback UK tax relief. Advice is essential to avoid penalties and tax surprises.
9. Overseas Transfer Charge (OTC) – For new transfers from 9th March 2017, investors need to be aware of the OTC. This has been introduced by the UK authorities and is payable in certain situations. There are some exemptions including transferring your UK pension to a QROPS that is in the same country that you are living in. For example, if you live in NZ and transfer to a NZ scheme, then the exemption applies. However, if your circumstances change within 5 tax years of making the transfer, the OTC of 25% could become payable to HMRC. Transfers made before 09/03/2017 are excluded from OTC.
10. In the first point, it mentions “Final Salary” schemes can be transferred. This type of scheme is considered highly valuable and should not be transferred without expert advice. The UK Govt insist by law that a Pension Transfer Report is required before a transfer can take place, only UK regulated advisers are permitted to prepare these reports. The cost of such reports has been rising due to regulatory pressure in the UK and as at time of writing the cost is between £1,500 and £3,000. While this adds to the complexity, costs, and time that it takes to complete a transfer, it does mean you receive appropriate information to enable an informed decision.
This area of financial advice can be quite technical, one question can lead to another and what is right for one person may not be right for another. Please seek advice from a suitable Adviser before making any financial decisions.
Best wishes.
chc4me
Feb 6th 2020, 10:49 pm
#3
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4
Re: UK Pension Transfers - updated for 2020
[QUOTE=chc4me;12772952]
10. In the first point, it mentions “Final Salary” schemes can be transferred. This type of scheme is considered highly valuable and should not be transferred without expert advice. The UK Govt insist by law that a Pension Transfer Report is required before a transfer can take place, only UK regulated advisers are permitted to prepare these reports. The cost of such reports has been rising due to regulatory pressure in the UK and as at time of writing the cost is between £1,500 and £3,000. While this adds to the complexity, costs, and time that it takes to complete a transfer, it does mean you receive appropriate information to enable an informed decision.
Thanks chc4me for the in depth analysis around the state of play.
What is the easiest way to find people who can produce this UK based report? Do you have any company names that have the qualifications to produce it?
Thanks cibuma
10. In the first point, it mentions “Final Salary” schemes can be transferred. This type of scheme is considered highly valuable and should not be transferred without expert advice. The UK Govt insist by law that a Pension Transfer Report is required before a transfer can take place, only UK regulated advisers are permitted to prepare these reports. The cost of such reports has been rising due to regulatory pressure in the UK and as at time of writing the cost is between £1,500 and £3,000. While this adds to the complexity, costs, and time that it takes to complete a transfer, it does mean you receive appropriate information to enable an informed decision.
Thanks chc4me for the in depth analysis around the state of play.
What is the easiest way to find people who can produce this UK based report? Do you have any company names that have the qualifications to produce it?
Thanks cibuma
Feb 6th 2020, 11:21 pm
#4
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 455
Re: UK Pension Transfers - updated for 2020
[QUOTE=Cibuma;12803060]
The number of UK Advisers completing such reports has dropped dramatically over the last few months, and costs have increased. A list of UK registered Financial Advisers is available at the Financial Authority Conduct website. Please note that the UK Adviser reports are only required for Final Salary Schemes, not Defined Contribution schemes.
Warm regards
Warm regards
Jun 22nd 2020, 3:48 am
#6
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Posts: 455
Re: UK Pension Transfers - updated for 2020
Hi Desmondo84, Please refer to point 6 in the first post:
6. Transfers from a pension scheme to a NZ scheme is a taxable event. If a transfer is made within the first 4 years of arriving in NZ, then no tax is payable on the transfer. After the 4 year anniversary, tax is payable to the NZ IRD based on a sliding scale and the number of years since the end of the 4 year anniversary. More information is available with the IR1024 fact sheet on this issue. If you are a returning resident, or have previously lived in NZ, then you may qualify for a general 4 year exemption. It is important to seek tax advice on this issue to avoid nasty shocks.
6. Transfers from a pension scheme to a NZ scheme is a taxable event. If a transfer is made within the first 4 years of arriving in NZ, then no tax is payable on the transfer. After the 4 year anniversary, tax is payable to the NZ IRD based on a sliding scale and the number of years since the end of the 4 year anniversary. More information is available with the IR1024 fact sheet on this issue. If you are a returning resident, or have previously lived in NZ, then you may qualify for a general 4 year exemption. It is important to seek tax advice on this issue to avoid nasty shocks.
