Transferring a pension from the UK (is Kestrel Int. any good?)
Feb 10th 2004, 1:35 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Transferring a pension from the UK (is Kestrel Int. any good?)
Hello all. Long time since I've been in here...
I'm planning to transfer my old British Rail Pension from Britain to a
policy in the US (Citizenship next year... was it so long ago that I was
asking Grinch for information?). For reasons beyond my understanding, the
local bank and a pension specialist locally had kittens when they tried to
get it shifted from £s to $s. So I'm looking for specialist help.
Specifically, Kestrel International.
I've searched Google and can't find anything bad about them and come up
blank. Still, I'd like some first-hand advice.
Has anyone used them here? Any other recommendations?
Thanks in advance,
Shawn.
I'm planning to transfer my old British Rail Pension from Britain to a
policy in the US (Citizenship next year... was it so long ago that I was
asking Grinch for information?). For reasons beyond my understanding, the
local bank and a pension specialist locally had kittens when they tried to
get it shifted from £s to $s. So I'm looking for specialist help.
Specifically, Kestrel International.
I've searched Google and can't find anything bad about them and come up
blank. Still, I'd like some first-hand advice.
Has anyone used them here? Any other recommendations?
Thanks in advance,
Shawn.
Feb 10th 2004, 12:29 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Transferring a pension from the UK (is Kestrel Int. any good?)
Hi,
I don't know if its relevant, and I'm certainly not a specialist, but I had a
teaching pension in the UK and I have just sent back a form (from them) that
allows me to have my contributions repayed, then I will start afresh here in
the US. Have you inquired about having your money repayed rather than
transferred? While not ideal it may be an option.
From Sarah
I don't know if its relevant, and I'm certainly not a specialist, but I had a
teaching pension in the UK and I have just sent back a form (from them) that
allows me to have my contributions repayed, then I will start afresh here in
the US. Have you inquired about having your money repayed rather than
transferred? While not ideal it may be an option.
From Sarah
Feb 10th 2004, 2:41 pm
#3
Living in Milwaukee, USA!
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Milwaukee, WI (formally England/Australia)
Posts: 899
Re: Transferring a pension from the UK (is Kestrel Int. any good?)
Hi,
I have the details of a firm in London that specialise in this sort of thing. Unfortunately i'm at work so I don't have them. But when I get home i'll repost you the contact details of the company.
Cheers
James
I have the details of a firm in London that specialise in this sort of thing. Unfortunately i'm at work so I don't have them. But when I get home i'll repost you the contact details of the company.
Cheers
James
Feb 10th 2004, 5:19 pm
#4
Living in Milwaukee, USA!
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Milwaukee, WI (formally England/Australia)
Posts: 899
Re: Transferring a pension from the UK (is Kestrel Int. any good?)
Here are those details I promised:
Darion Pohl
Consulting Actuary/ Independent Financial Adviser
Prism Financial Planning (XPAT)
Email: [email protected]
Ph: 084545 04004
Fax: 084545 04006
Mob: 0776 289 6841
www.xpatconsulting.com
Hope this helps
James
Darion Pohl
Consulting Actuary/ Independent Financial Adviser
Prism Financial Planning (XPAT)
Email: [email protected]
Ph: 084545 04004
Fax: 084545 04006
Mob: 0776 289 6841
www.xpatconsulting.com
Hope this helps
James
Feb 10th 2004, 9:34 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: mottingham london
Posts: 45
Re: Transferring a pension from the UK (is Kestrel Int. any good?)
Originally posted by Sarahstokesuk
Hi,
I don't know if its relevant, and I'm certainly not a specialist, but I had a
teaching pension in the UK and I have just sent back a form (from them) that
allows me to have my contributions repayed, then I will start afresh here in
the US. Have you inquired about having your money repayed rather than
transferred? While not ideal it may be an option.
From Sarah
Hi,
I don't know if its relevant, and I'm certainly not a specialist, but I had a
teaching pension in the UK and I have just sent back a form (from them) that
allows me to have my contributions repayed, then I will start afresh here in
the US. Have you inquired about having your money repayed rather than
transferred? While not ideal it may be an option.
From Sarah
Wondered if you can give me some more info the teachers pension ?. I've only been teaching for four years but have paid in to my teachers pension all that time. I wasn't really sure what I could about it. Didnt know it could be repayed. I hope to leave at the end of this school year depending on NSC of course to go and live in Michigan.
Thanks for any help
Feb 10th 2004, 10:19 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Transferring a pension from the UK (is Kestrel Int. any good?)
I am interested to hear how you make out, no never heard of them
myself...tried the BBB (Better Business Bureau)? theres one in each
state.
I will tell you that our experience with attempting to move 3 UK
pensions over here to the states using one attorney, then another
amongst a few others proved a pain in my arse...in the end we decided
to go back to the UK in 18 months instead..what with taxes here, and
the new social security point system (i am 47) i will have enough $$$
to maybe get a bowl of curry once a day by the time I am 67!
( i have only been here 3 years).
thats my opinion tho.
keep us updated mate.
Cheers
Florida*
myself...tried the BBB (Better Business Bureau)? theres one in each
state.
I will tell you that our experience with attempting to move 3 UK
pensions over here to the states using one attorney, then another
amongst a few others proved a pain in my arse...in the end we decided
to go back to the UK in 18 months instead..what with taxes here, and
the new social security point system (i am 47) i will have enough $$$
to maybe get a bowl of curry once a day by the time I am 67!
( i have only been here 3 years).
thats my opinion tho.
keep us updated mate.
Cheers
Florida*
Feb 10th 2004, 11:19 pm
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Transferring a pension from the UK (is Kestrel Int. any good?)
Hi Shona,
There is a website: www.teacherspensions.co.uk
and the 'teacher FAQ' is pretty useful. You don't get back all the money you
put in if you opt for repayment, and there is the possibilty of transferring
your pension to another scheme (including overseas, so it claims), but I just
decided that repayment was less hassle for me. Definately look in to it which
ever way you decide to go because it's your money and you are entitled to at
least some of it! Oh, and if you haven't already, start looking into what you
need to get your teaching certification here (if you intend to continue!) and
apply as soon as you can because it takes forever! I made the initial contact
with NJ DOE in August... one exam, a couple of forms and several phone calls
later and I'm still waiting patiently...
From Sarah
There is a website: www.teacherspensions.co.uk
and the 'teacher FAQ' is pretty useful. You don't get back all the money you
put in if you opt for repayment, and there is the possibilty of transferring
your pension to another scheme (including overseas, so it claims), but I just
decided that repayment was less hassle for me. Definately look in to it which
ever way you decide to go because it's your money and you are entitled to at
least some of it! Oh, and if you haven't already, start looking into what you
need to get your teaching certification here (if you intend to continue!) and
apply as soon as you can because it takes forever! I made the initial contact
with NJ DOE in August... one exam, a couple of forms and several phone calls
later and I'm still waiting patiently...
From Sarah
Feb 11th 2004, 5:48 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: mottingham london
Posts: 45
Re: Transferring a pension from the UK (is Kestrel Int. any good?)
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sarahstokesuk
Hi Shona,
Hi Sarah thanks so much for all that info. I'm gonna look in to it tonight. I would like to teach after about 6 months. I have the forms for Michigan and Jeff has just got some for Indiana as Niles is just on the border. Is the test hard and do you have to do a masters like all American teachers seem to ? Think I have had enough studying to last a life time ( Particularly with all this immigration paperwork).LOL -feel like I'm doing a degree in immigration
Any thankyou again
Take care
Shona
Hi Shona,
Hi Sarah thanks so much for all that info. I'm gonna look in to it tonight. I would like to teach after about 6 months. I have the forms for Michigan and Jeff has just got some for Indiana as Niles is just on the border. Is the test hard and do you have to do a masters like all American teachers seem to ? Think I have had enough studying to last a life time ( Particularly with all this immigration paperwork).LOL -feel like I'm doing a degree in immigration
Any thankyou again
Take care
Shona
Feb 11th 2004, 8:04 pm
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Transferring a pension from the UK (is Kestrel Int. any good?)
Hi Shona,
I had to take the PRAXIS 2 elementary education content knowledge exam which is
a very general test...I spent weeks revising all kinds of stuff but in the end
none of it was useful, I think I just felt better for it! The test was pretty
hard but I guess the passing scores were low as I passed easily, it was
multiple choice so maybe luck played a part! I don't have a master's and you
don't need one to get certified here in NJ, though having one or more years of
experience means you can get the standard license rather than a provisional
one. Whether you need a master's to get a job, I have yet to find out... ;-)
From Sarah
I had to take the PRAXIS 2 elementary education content knowledge exam which is
a very general test...I spent weeks revising all kinds of stuff but in the end
none of it was useful, I think I just felt better for it! The test was pretty
hard but I guess the passing scores were low as I passed easily, it was
multiple choice so maybe luck played a part! I don't have a master's and you
don't need one to get certified here in NJ, though having one or more years of
experience means you can get the standard license rather than a provisional
one. Whether you need a master's to get a job, I have yet to find out... ;-)
From Sarah
