bgreaves1

Does anyone have experience with buying a SIPP pension fund? I live in Arizona, and I am thinking of transfering my UK pension fund to a SIPP, using a US-based company (Kestrel International) to advise and help me. Any thoughts, experiences, ideas would be most welcome. Thanks.

fatbrit

You can do it yourself, without a third party. Just transfer your private pension to a web access UK SIPP. You can't add anything if you're resident over here, but you can invest whatever is already in the plans almost wherever you want on the UK markets.

Bob

there was a thread a while back on this, but pretty much said what FB said as as i recall.

Kestrelbms

Oooh! Be very careful about a do-it-yorself SIPP. There's a huge choice and costs can be hidden and end up costing more than going through a good advisor. Of course, I work for Kestrel.............but as I say, be careful!

fatbrit

And what extra protection would I get from a good advisor? Apart from more commission, of course. Also, how can I tell a good advisor from a bad one?

agedgrandad

Fatbrit
I've only recently joined BE. Have been trawling through old threads and came across your query last May about SIPPS. Did you decide to transfer to a SIPP. If so, I'd be interested to pick your brains about the US tax treatment of pension payments received from the SIPP.

fatbrit

Not got to the tax stage yet because I'm not that old! But my belief is that they will be taxed in the US as regular income. They should be free of UK tax if you don't live there. However, I'm neither a tax professional nor a pension professional.

topcat10

Advantages of ExPatSIPP


- Designed specifically for UK Expatriates who have pensions left in the UK and who are working abroad (ex UK).

- “Frozen” Approved UK pensions may be transferred into ExPatSipp in their entirety.

- No compulsory requirement to purchase an annuity

- Broad range of assets eligible for investment.

- Suitable for consolidating a number of small pension schemes left in UK.

- Highly competitive fee, open charging structure.

- Tax free lump sum of 30% with deferral of pension payments.

- Take pension and continue to work.

- Competitive rates of interest on all cash balances regardless of size.

- Withdrawal subject to current Manx marginal rate (of 18%) and £2,500 p a allowance- as opposed to UK marginal rates of up to 40%.

- Reduces potential tax liability after drawdown and death of Member and spouse from up to 83% (55% unauthorised payment charge and 40% IHT) to a mandatory 7.5%.

- 7.5% charge only payable once all pension payments to final dependents cease.

- Ability to invest additional funds either as a lump sum or regular payments.

- All assets held in segregated nominee accounts offering investor protection.

- No longer is Isle of Man Residency a pre-requisite for Scheme set-up

- Member may return to UK or remain an expatriate during working life/or Retirement.
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