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
France remains the top destination for their North American travelers according to Rail Europe, Inc., the largest distributor of European rail products in North America. According to sales data, Italy and the United Kingdom followed France respectively as the top destinations for Rail Europe travelers this summer.
In reviewing their 2014 sales figures, Rail Europe identified noteworthy travel data that showcases the latest trends and preferences among their North American clients.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7157831-rail-europe-inc-newsroom/
Researchers presenting at ASTRO 2015, the premier radiation oncology scientific event in the world, unveiled new data this week that could fundamentally change the way that early stage breast cancer is treated.
Results from a landmark prospective, randomized, multicenter phase III study conducted in Europe demonstrated that APBI brachytherapy leads to equivalent overall survival and local cancer control rates as compared to WBI after breast conserving surgery for selected patients with early stage breast cancers. These data were presented during the ASTRO official press conference and published in The Lancet, a leading high-impact global peer-reviewed medical journal.
“We have been confidently offering APBI brachytherapy to selected women for years based on numerous phase II, single site and large registry studies that have confirmed the clinical utility of site-specific radiation delivered in a condensed timeframe,” said Frank A. Vicini, M.D., radiation oncologist, 21st Century Oncology, Royal Oak, Mich. and contributing author to the 2009 and 2013 ASTRO and ABS APBI guidelines. “The results from this landmark, multicenter, prospective randomized clinical study are the first to offer the critical level one evidence necessary to drive the fundamental changes in breast conserving cancer treatment that patients and healthcare professionals have been demanding for years.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7661231-new-apbi-brachytherapy-data-at-astro-2015/
This is the Tai Chi Chuan straight sword form of famous Tai Chi master Peter Ralston. Douwe Geluk performed this martial arts form years ago whenhe just knew it.
This is not a difficult taijiquan form to learn but very fun to do. Douwe Geluk is currently living in Apeldoorn city in the Netherlands and is teaching Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung to his students
Places in Paris attract many travelers from Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. Paris is packed with incredible destinations and world famous locations.
There is no better time for families to travel Europe than in 2015. Rail Europe, Inc., the largest distributor of European rail products in North America, is excited to announce that families traveling with many of the European rail passes will have access to free rail travel for children. This offering is now available on the Eurail Pass product line, in addition to the Swiss Travel Pass, German Rail Pass and BritRail Pass, thus further extending the options for affordable family travel this year.
Train travel is the best way to relax and experience the European scenery while connecting to historic and culturally rich destinations. For families - it's comfortable, convenient, and now even more affordable.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7157831-rail-europe-inc-newsroom/
Martial Arts of the Saquatch by shifu Douwe Geluk
The Chinese martial arts are often based on animals, also mythical animals like the Dragon, the Phoenix or the Sasquatch.
Douwe Geluk is an international famous martial arts teacher. He studied How Chuen Monkey Kung Fu from 1985 until 1993 under grandmaster Fred Decramer. It was not a normal Monkey Kungfu but the way of the Standing Tall Monkey or the Sasquatch, Bigfoot or Yeti. Douwe Geluk from Apeldoorn in the Netherlands has decided to record everything he still knew for the SRMAA Shintai ryu Martial Arts Association in West Virginia. Douwe Geluk has his own martial arts school called: Tai Chi Apeldoorn Bron van Geluk Fu Yuan. Douwe Geluk also holds a 4rd degree Black Belt in Ng Ying Kuen.
Researchers presenting at ASTRO 2015, the premier radiation oncology scientific event in the world, unveiled new data this week that could fundamentally change the way that early stage breast cancer is treated.
Results from a landmark prospective, randomized, multicenter phase III study conducted in Europe demonstrated that APBI brachytherapy leads to equivalent overall survival and local cancer control rates as compared to WBI after breast conserving surgery for selected patients with early stage breast cancers. These data were presented during the ASTRO official press conference and published in The Lancet, a leading high-impact global peer-reviewed medical journal.
“We have been confidently offering APBI brachytherapy to selected women for years based on numerous phase II, single site and large registry studies that have confirmed the clinical utility of site-specific radiation delivered in a condensed timeframe,” said Frank A. Vicini, M.D., radiation oncologist, 21st Century Oncology, Royal Oak, Mich. and contributing author to the 2009 and 2013 ASTRO and ABS APBI guidelines. “The results from this landmark, multicenter, prospective randomized clinical study are the first to offer the critical level one evidence necessary to drive the fundamental changes in breast conserving cancer treatment that patients and healthcare professionals have been demanding for years.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7661231-new-apbi-brachytherapy-data-at-astro-2015/
INRIX®, Inc., a global leader for transportation analytics, today released its 2015 Traffic Scorecard, a benchmark for governments and agencies in the U.S. and Europe to measure progress in improving urban mobility.
The report reveals the U.S. faces large challenges to solve congestion issues, fueled by continued economic and population growth, higher employment rates and declining gas prices. Cities that have experienced the most economic improvement during the past year are at highest risk for consequences related to worsened traffic conditions, including reduced productivity, higher emissions and increased stress levels. For example, Washington D.C., San Francisco, New York, Seattle and Boston all saw reduced unemployment rates bringing them below the national average of 5.3 percent for 2015.1 However, according to the INRIX Traffic Scorecard, congestion in those cities alone combined to waste 1.5 billion hours for daily car commuters last year. Nationwide, commuters spent a total of more than eight billion extra hours stuck in traffic, representing almost 50 hours per driver.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7775551-inrix-2015-traffic-scorecard/
It's longer – and deeper – than any other train tunnel in the world. Sunday 11 December 2016 sees the entering into service of the Gotthard Base Tunnel. This pioneering project will enable passengers to speed under the Alps in some 17 minutes. The dual-track tunnel will bring northern and southern Switzerland closer together, and cut travel time between neighbouring countries. It will permit passengers from near and far to spend more time at their destination, discovering the many delights of Switzerland north and south of the Alps.
Switzerland already possesses the densest public transport network on the planet. And over the years it has increased its impressive lead over other nations. June 2016 saw the festive inauguration of the Gotthard Base Tunnel – a 17-year pioneering project which extends for 57 kilometres down to a maximum depth of 2300 metres under the Gotthard massif. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) have now finished subjecting the tunnel to exhaustive safety and technical tests. On Sunday 11 December – the day on which Switzerland's public transport network changes its annual timetable nationwide – the Gotthard Base Tunnel will enter into scheduled service.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7988951-opening-gotthard-base-tunnel-longest-train/
Jesse and Yvonne of Take Berlin dropped by the warehouse for a chilled-out take on "Vermona" off the duo's Lionize EP. After packing up the guitar and Wurlitzer, the pair is off to Europe for a late-winter tour. If you're stuck stateside, catch up with their WILD Profile and grab the EP on our website.
Fifi O’Neill has established a novel international reputation for her particular sense of style. Her name has become synonymous as the single-most editor, photo stylist, blogger and best-selling author known for perpetuating prairie style.
Born and raised in Paris, Fifi has based from Europe, Canada and now the U.S., devoting many years to writing and styling elaborate home decorating, food, gardening and interior design editorial for hundreds of lifestyle and special interest publications including several of her own design magazines. With two impressive and beautifully illustrated books, Fifi now announces release of her third, PRAIRIE-STYLE WEDDINGS: Rustic and Romantic Farm, Woodland, and Garden Celebrations (Chronicle Books, December 2014, $30 USD/Hardbound).
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7375431-fifi-o-neill/
