A new study from Robert Half and Financial Executives Research Foundation (FERF), the research affiliate of Financial Executives International (FEI), provides insight into professional standards across the finance function, including the average size of finance departments, hours worked and technologies used. The fourth annual report, Benchmarking the Finance Function 2013: The Inner Workings of Accounting and Finance, focuses on six key areas: workforce management, accounting operations, financial systems, sourcing, internal controls and compliance. The results are based on a survey of the finance departments of nearly 200 public and private companies in the United States and Canada.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55076-robert-half-ferf-fei-annual-report-webinar-finance-function-benchmarking
QROPS - Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes were introduced in 2006 as part of a major overhaul of Britain\'s pension framework, aimed at simplifying pension transfers to another country. New legislation was passed by the UK tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), in order to comply with an EU directive that pensions be free to move across Europe\'s borders. This ruling means that individuals, wishing to retire to countries such as France, Spain and Portugal can effectively take their UK pension funds with them: http://www.axis-finance.com/what-are-qrops.php
Who can apply for a QROPS?
A QROPS is specifically designed to allow anyone, not intending to retire in the UK, to transfer existing and frozen UK pension plans into a more appropriate retirement vehicle.
Individuals who are, or have been members of a UK registered pension fund and are currently living outside of the UK, or intending to leave the UK on a permanent basis, can consider transferring their retirement fund into a QROPS: http://www.axis-finance.com/qrops-living-in-France
Transfers to QROPS
The UK Government allows transfers to QROPS to be made free of UK tax. Their aim is to simplify the affairs of individuals leaving the UK on a permanent basis and to encourage them to continue saving in order to provide an income when they retire. There is no official limit to the amount of funds that may be transferred to a QROPS: http://www.axis-finance.com/qrops-France-pension-transfers
QROPS - HMRC Rules
What makes a scheme a QROPS?
In order to transfer your UK pension into a QROPS, it is necessary for the overseas pension scheme to be accepted by HMRC. The criteria outlined by HMRC for an overseas scheme to qualify as a QROPS include:
- The pension scheme must be established outside of the UK
- It must be recognised for tax purposes in the country where it is located
- It must be regulated in the country in which it is established
Age that benefits can be taken from a QROPS
The QROPS regime mirrors that of a regulated pension scheme in the UK. Benefits, including lump sum payments, from the transferred funds may not be distributed earlier than the normal retirement age of 55, if an individual has been a non-UK resident for less than five complete tax years: http://www.axis-finance.com/qrops-living-in-France-HMRC-Rules
QROPS Reporting requirements
HMRC should be notified if a payment is made within the first five tax years of a member becoming non-UK tax resident. Any benefits paid before five complete tax years of non-UK residency and not in accordance with UK Pension rules will be deemed an unauthorised payment.
The scheme manager does not have to notify HMRC if the payment is made 10 or more years after the day of the transfer that created the QROPS fund for the \'relevant member\', provided that the person is non UK resident for the duration of this period. This 10 year \'bracket\' for reporting payments took effect as of 6 April 2012.
QROPS List
When transferring your UK pension to a scheme overseas, it is important to check that the scheme meets the conditions to be a qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme (QROPS). Not all transfers to overseas or offshore schemes are QROPS transfers; it is therefore essential to verify that the scheme receiving your UK benefits is on the QROPS list published by HMRC, otherwise a transfer will be treated as a transfer to a non-qualifying overseas scheme and substantial penalties may be applied by HMRC at the time of transfer: http://www.axis-finance.com/qrops-list-living-in-France
How do I know if it is a legitimate QROPS scheme?
QROPS approved plans that agree to have their details published are listed on the HMRC website. A UK Pension administrator will confirm a QROPS listing before agreeing to a transfer. If not listed, the administrator will contact HMRC
Despite signs of economic recovery, a new survey says Americans’ confidence in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement remains at historic lows as workers appear to be grasping the realities of what they need to save.
The 2013 annual Retirement Confidence Survey, released today by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) in Washington, and co-sponsored by the Principal Financial Group®, finds overall confidence levels are essentially unchanged since the record lows set in 2011. Only 13 percent are very confident they will have enough money for a comfortable retirement. A full 28 percent1— the highest number recorded during the 23 years of the survey—are not at all confident.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60106-principal-financial-group-ebri-retirement-savings-confidence-survey
Rewards are the single most important factor when consumers are looking for a new credit card, consumer research commissioned by MBNA suggests.
The findings come as MBNA launches the new MBNA More Rewards Credit Card Account, offering new customers two cards on one account and huge reward earning potential on all of their spending. It comes with a market-leading representative rate for reward cards of 12.9 percent APR (variable) and is available now on MBNA’s website http://www.mbna.co.uk, as well as most comparison websites.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58700-mbna
In value terms, gold demand in 2012 was US$236.4bn – an all-time high. Gold demand in value terms for the final quarter of the year was 6% higher year-on-year at US$66.2bn, marking the highest ever Q4 total.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60350-world-gold-council-q4-full-year-2012-gold-demand-trends
The 2013 model-year vehicles and brands (in both luxury and non-luxury categories) with the lowest projected ownership costs were announced today by Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used car information. These awards are based on Kelley Blue Book’s 5-Year Cost to Own data for new cars for the initial five-year ownership period.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/59915-kelley-blue-book-kbb-announces-2013-5-cost-to-own-award-winners
www.gogetta.com.au-GoGetta Equipment Funding provides funding to earthmoving and construction businesses needing to secure new equipment. Ian Monk, Earthmoving Owner/Operator tells us of his experience using GoGetta to secure his excavator and positrax.
John Hancock Financial Network today introduced the Retirement Ready iPad app, an interactive tool designed to help financial professionals engage prospects and clients in an educational retirement income conversation. The app, which is customizable to display the representative’s name and firm, includes information on the basic concepts of retirement income in distinct chapters, videos, exercises and interactive worksheets.
“Retirement income planning is a huge need for a significant portion of the population, and this tool is perfect for assisting a financial professional to have a personal, engaging, and useful discussion about retirement income with clients,” said Bruce Harrington, vice president, Sales and Business Development, John Hancock Financial Network.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/johnhancockfinancialnetwork/49221/
leading composer at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research at Plymouth University , and Dr Greg B Davies, Head of Behavioural and Quantitative Finance at Barclays, have taken reality performances to another level by partnering with Barclays to produce a reality opera. The performance, which was held on the 15th November 2012 at Egyptian Hall, Mansion House, focused on the drama unfolding on an “open outcry” stock trading floor, the type of trading floor on which traditionally traders shout and use hand-signals.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58659-barclays-opera
During the third quarter, we were again able to capture the benefits of AEGON’s strategic priorities, resulting in solid earnings growth, improved profitability of sales, lower expenses and a continued strong capital position. Our franchise remains healthy, as evidenced by the particularly high level of At-Retirement and pension sales. At the same time, we are making essential investments to reshape our businesses in both our established and developing markets to respond effectively to the changing conditions and new realities. Although there are signs of gradually improving market conditions, there remains considerable uncertainty in the general economic environment. Consequently, we believe it is prudent and necessary to maintain a sufficient financial buffer while at the same time adhering to our strict risk and pricing discipline. The steps we are taking across our organization to get closer to our end customers, combined with the strength of our current position, give us full confidence in the prospects for our business going forward.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58637-aegon-quarter-3-results
KCET, the nation’s largest independent public television station serving Southern and Central California, has launched Your Turn To Care (www.yourturntocare.org), a robust website designed to serve as a resource for families, caregivers and seniors across the country who are faced with the challenge of taking care of ailing or aging loved ones or dealing with aging-related issues.
Developed by KCET as a companion to its original television series Your Turn To Care, hosted by Holly Robinson Peete, the enhanced Your Turn to Care website encourages visitors to ‘Watch, Explore and Connect’ through more than 60 original videos featuring expert advice on topics ranging from caregiving and finance to health and wellness, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57354-kcet-elder-care-your-turn-to-care-website
