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
Sigrid Olsen reinvents her work to embrace the best aspects of her own healthy life now based from Sarasota, Florida. Her commitment to a philosophy of creative well-being runs deep to inspire a fresh and unique approach to mindful design, beautiful product development, and holistic experiences especially, as she reacquires her namesake rights and revitalizes her brand this spring. Sigrid’s infectious positive nature and pure reverence for yoga, meditation, wholesome eating, modern simplicity, natural beauty, and increased connection with community and self, uniquely include added emphasis upon discovery of creative self-expression. Going forward, Sigrid will emphasize these retreat and rejuvenate aspects of her brand to expand business potential, secure new synergies and connect with the $290 billion dollar marketplace focused on better health and wellness, personal development, retreat travel, sustainable living, and -- women, in particular.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7142231-sigrid-olsen-new-designs-for-living/
Snacks, the proverbial middle child of the food world, are finally getting the recognition they deserve. Last night, TV host Andy Cohen, a foodie in his own right, joined fellow food aficionados to launch Snack Week, a week-long celebration of snacking and the launch pad for the new Hillshire® Snacking brand of premium snacks.
Snack Week kicked off with a VIP launch event, co-hosted by Cohen and other culinary experts, including Chef Dale Talde of “Talde” restaurants, New York mixologist Julie Reiner and two top food bloggers. The event united the experts to help launch the Hillshire® Snacking brand and highlighted curated pairings and snack ideas using the products, all coming to life in a series of videos to be released during Snack Week.
“Being a foodie and living in a city with an amazing food culture has elevated my snacking game,” said Cohen. “I’ve spent enough time around food and the culinary world to know when I spot a trend. The Hillshire® Snacking brand is a game-changer,” Cohen said.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7744951-hillshire-taps-cohen-for-snack-launch/
Ahead of World Mental Health Day, today sees the publication of the Mental Health Integration Index, a new research initiative commissioned by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and undertaken by the Economist Intelligence Unit.1 The research explores the challenges of integrating Europeans with mental illness into society and employment, within the European Union’s 28 Member States, plus Norway and Switzerland. Countries have been ranked according to their degree of commitment to support those living with mental illness; the findings demonstrate that while there are many examples of good practice across Europe, the whole region has a long way to go before people with mental illness are adequately supported and truly integrated into their communities.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/72762557-janssen-europe-mental-health-index/
L’Oréal announced the winners of its International Awards for Social Responsibility in Dermatology, “Caring to Inspire Skin Confidence” at the 23rd World Congress of Dermatology taking place in Vancouver, Canada.
For Asia-Pacific
Dr. Jeong Chan-woo from South Korea
Sharing skin love - Skin Health Promotion for Orphanage and for low-income children/youth
This initiative was established to help children from low-income families, without parents or those living away from their parents, to receive education on how to prevent skin diseases. They also have access to high quality treatment if they are suffering from a dermatological condition.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7554651-loreal-announces-2015-awardees/
Today leading window manufacturer The VELUX Group and the social business Little Sun announce a partnership with the NGO Plan International to distribute a new solar lamp – the Natural Light solar lamp – in three African countries: Zimbabwe, Zambia and Senegal. The partnership with Plan International will deliver sustainable solar-powered light to people living off-grid in areas without electricity, through a program that involves and empowers local communities.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7519251-velux-plan-partners-solar-africa/
Au fil des années, Christy a mené une carrière variée en tant que mannequin, militante pour la santé maternelle, auteur, entrepreneuse, porte-parole et réalisatrice. Elle a rayonné sur de nombreux podiums et a fait la couverture de milliers de magazines, prenant la pose pour une multitude de photographes de légende pour des campagnes comme celles de Calvin Klein, Maybelline et maintenant les compléments alimentaires beauté IMEDEEN®.
Découvrez vidéo, photos et documents téléchargeables sur Christy Turlington ici: http://www.multivu.com/players/fr/7390451-christy-turlington-ambassadrice-imedeen/
Today, Las Vegas announced the beginning of Vegas Season with a city-wide activation in Chicago. Similar to the holiday season, Vegas Season comes just once a year and is the season of living – resorts, shows, dining, shopping, pools – Las Vegas has it all. Vegas Season has something for everyone and it is the perfect time to let loose, recharge and make memories that will last a lifetime.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7256351-las-vegas-brings-vegas-season-to-chicago-wayne-newton-100-carolers/
‘Tis the season to discover your Om. For American fashion designer, Sigrid Olsen, Om resonates profoundly, imparting deeper focus, serenity, wisdom, and happiness. Sigrid offers her three favorite ways to refresh body, mind and spirit with this Creative Well-being Wish List for the Holidays:
Rejuvenate, relax and reinvent this New Year. Mix exhilarating cultural travel with art, yoga, and self-discovery. Reserve now for Sigrid’s upcoming Creative Well-being Retreat in Santorini next September. Entice a friend, a colleague, a sister, a daughter, or relish just going solo. Reserve by January 15, 2015 to receive a significant early bird savings.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7142231-sigrid-olsen-new-designs-for-living/
Forty-five million people – or 1 in 7 Americans – are living in poverty in the United States today. It often takes just one misfortune or one missed paycheck to change an individual or family’s life causing them to fall below the poverty line. Today, Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) launches #End45 – Raise a Hand to End Poverty in America, a national initiative to help shine a spotlight on the issue and the millions of others in need or struggling to make ends meet.
Timed to coincide with Pope Francis’s visit to the United States in late September and to align with his commitment to helping the poor, #End45 – Raise a Hand to End Poverty in America encourages individuals to show support for the cause by taking a picture of their hand with “#End45” written on the palm and posting it to their social media channels using the hashtag #End45.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7599151-catholic-charities-end-poverty-in-america/
Toys“R”Us® today announced the launch of its annual nationwide fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Now through Sunday, December 6, customers can spread holiday joy to some of the 15.5 million U.S. children living in poverty by donating new, unwrapped toys at any Toys“R”Us or Babies“R”Us® store across the country and online at http://www.Toysrus.com/ToysforTots. The company will also collect monetary donations in-store and online through Christmas Eve.
NBA Legend, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Shaquille O’Neal once again joins the company’s campaign as his alter ego Shaq-A-Claus, to encourage shoppers to donate to Toys for Tots. Throughout the campaign, Shaquille will also invite social media users to #PlayItForward, an initiative designed to further spread awareness of the millions of children living in poverty and to inspire families to donate to the cause.
“Making wishes come true around the holidays is especially important to me, as I know how much one toy and one act of kindness can matter. When I was a kid, I was given my very own Dr. J autographed basketball, inspiring me to believe I could grow up to be a basketball star,” said Shaquille O’Neal. “For years, I would shop for presents at Toys“R”Us and distribute them to underprivileged children on Christmas morning. Now, in partnership with Toys“R”Us and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, I’m making it my mission as Shaq-A-Claus to give back and spread holiday cheer to the millions of needy kids in the U.S. I encourage everyone to join me this year and remember – every toy counts!”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7476351-toys-r-us-toys-for-tots-playitforward/
What does it look like to really live a full life – one that enriches and satisfies, that provides happiness and enables achievement? Abbott is talking to one million people worldwide to find out. And the answers aren’t as simple as you would think.
Does living fully look the same to an accountant in Shanghai as it does to an architect in New Delhi or a street artist in São Paulo? What about a factory worker in Detroit or a new mother in Berlin? In today’s hyperconnected world that is pulling us together in so many ways, how do our cultural differences, life experiences and personalities influence what it means to live a full life?
Early in this quest we’re seeing preliminary trends, like the role health plays in a full life in Shanghai and the importance of family in New York. We’ll have to see if this is confirmed as we go global with our research. The one thing that is becoming apparent is just how personal it gets when we talk to people about life.
This global quest is at the heart of what our company does—finding answers that have helped people live healthier, better lives for more than 125 years.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7611051-abbott-live-fully/