Upon leaving the military, many veterans—especially those who have been injured—anticipate their earned benefits to begin automatically. That is not the case. Veterans must apply for their benefits, and awards are not automatic. In fact, the Veterans Affairs (VA) claims-processing delays recently hit a 20-year high, with the average claim taking 262 days to be processed. Each day that veterans’ claims languish means another day that they do not receive the benefits they need in order to care for themselves and their families.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/59682-actor-gary-sinise-dav-veterans-benefits
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
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today launched a global thought leadership platform to help frame and stimulate regional and global debate on vital development issues shaping the Middle East.
The “Middle East Exchange” will commission original articles from international experts including Nobel laureates, heads of state, academics and intellectuals. New articles will be published weekly in newspapers globally on a wide range of topics relevant to the region, from health and education to development and innovation.
UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs His Excellency Mohammed Al Gergawi discussed the project at a meeting with Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in Abu Dhabi on December 6. Speaking after the meeting, H.E. Al Gergawi said:
“The Middle East has spent too long in the global spotlight as a source of conflict and trouble. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision is for innovative and tangible solutions that benefit people’s lives on the ground. There is a huge appetite for practical ideas. The Middle East Exchange will be the number one global platform for positive voices and ideas for the Middle East.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7719851-mohammed-al-maktoum-global-initiatives/
Tourism Australia has launched its latest campaign, which is focused on highlighting the country’s world-class aquatic and coastal experiences, in a bid to lure more international visitors to Australia.
The new creative, the latest instalment in Tourism Australia’s global There’s Nothing like Australia campaign, was officially unveiled at an event in New York on Australia Day eve attended by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs the Hon. Julie Bishop.
Guests at the event were treated to immersive ‘virtual reality’ displays and aquatic-themed images being projected onto the ice rink at the famous Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park alongside the reveal of a new broadcast ad, featuring a voiceover by Australian actor and new Tourism Australia global ambassador Chris Hemsworth. The event was hosted by Australian chef Curtis Stone and guests enjoyed a specially designed Australian menu by Luke Mangan.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7742051-tourism-australia/
As sleaze oozes from the Pentagon,
banished Marine and Naval Academy alum Susanna Marcasi finds a web of
corruption and must take on a man to whom all are beholden, Defense
Secretary Manfred Stahl. Can she bring down the cloistered power
brokers deep within the military’s superstructure and survive? Blood
Stripe: The Susanna Marcasi Chronicles. Find out more at:
http://www.GinaMariaDiNicolo.com or on Amazon at:
http://j.mp/Blood-Stripe Cincinnati City Beat and
Amazon reviewer John Kelly says “Like a literary version of ‘A Few Good
Men (and Women)’ on steroids, Gina Maria DiNicolo rips into your
emotional core like a ‘kill shot’ from page one and never lets up for
322 pages. This book, not for the weak of heart, tells the story of
strength, courage and no mercy in the most elite units of the U.S.
Armed Forces.” Baltimore native Gina Maria DiNicolo graduated
from the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in history and an attraction
to the unconventional. She accepted a commission in the U.S. Marine
Corps where she worked in aviation, recruiting, history, and public
affairs. As a fulltime author and historian, in addition to her two
books, DiNicolo has written scores of articles for the Military Officer
Magazine and other publications. After publishing Blood Stripe, she
sought to get her historian game on and accepted a one-year, work/study
assignment as a senior editor for the U.S. Army Center of Military
History in Washington, D.C., producing studies on military operations
in Iraq and Afghanistan. She is a dancer specializing in Argentine
Tango. For a review copy of Blood Stripe: The Susanna
Marcasi Chronicles or to arrange an interview with Gina Maria
DiNicolo contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book
Marketing http://www.book-marketing-expert.com/ or by phone
734-667-2090.
Whirlpool Corporation is celebrating the conclusion of its first-ever Global Habitat Build Project -- a project which engaged more than 200 Whirlpool Corporation employee volunteers in 14 Habitat for Humanity home build projects in eight countries. The project was coordinated to recognize the many contributions of the company’s former CEO, Jeff Fettig, who stepped down as CEO on October 31 of this year, and to celebrate the 17-year partnership between Habitat for Humanity International and Whirlpool Corporation.
“What better way to recognize the standard of giving back set by our Chairman and former CEO, Jeff Fettig, than to collectively build homes around the world in his honor,” said Jeff Noel, the corporate vice president of communications & public affairs for Whirlpool Corporation. “At the same time, we’re celebrating our long-standing relationship with Habitat for Humanity. Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, gave his time to hammer nails alongside our employees, honoring our collaborative work building homes and positively impacting society for nearly two decades.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8219351-whirlpool-celebrates-global-habitat-build-project/
Today in Times Square, thousands of visitors joined actor and Operation Smile Ambassador Zachary Levi; celebrity photographer and USO Ambassador Nigel Barker; actress and United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up Ambassador Katherine McNamara; and Save the Children to kick off the “season of giving” with the free Donate a Photo app from Johnson & Johnson.
Visitors to the interactive giving experience learned how they can, literally, give back in a snap by turning something they do every day – taking a photo – into a way to raise funds and awareness for causes they care about. For every photo shared through the app, Johnson & Johnson donates $1 to one of its trusted non-profit partners, chosen by the user from a rotating list of causes.
Anyone can participate by downloading the Donate a Photo app from the Apple App Store or through Google Play. From there, it’s as simple as picking a cause to support, uploading a photo and sharing on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the handle @DonateaPhoto and #JNJ, #DonateaPhoto, #365DaysofCare or #DonateEveryday.
“Funds raised through Donate a Photo are just a small part of our long-standing commitment to caring for and supporting children and families around the world,” said Michael Sneed, Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs for Johnson & Johnson.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7263551-donate-a-photo-operation-smile/
The Founder of the Monarchist Party of Russia gave a press conference in the TASS press centre in Yekaterinburg on December 6th.
According to Bakov, the documents which support his announcement were deliberately and symbolically made public in Yekaterinburg. This city was chosen through having witnessed the most gruesome and ruthless act of regicide. During the press conference, the journalists were presented with the Memorandum of Friendship and Cooperation between The Republic of The Gambia and Romanov Empire, which had been signed December 1st in Banjul by the Secretary General of The Gambia Dawda D. Fadera and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romanov Empire, Modou Lamin Saidykhan.
According to said document, the west African Republic of The Gambia became the first government to officially recognize Romanov Empire and establish diplomatic contacts with it. In exchange, Romanov Empire agreed to pay 60 Million USD to the budget of The Gambia.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8236851-anton-bakov-restoration-romanov-dynasty/
“Want to enjoy life,” “like to learn things,” “look for adventures and like to take risks” – these traits tell the story of how Americans perceive entrepreneurs, as revealed in the 2015 Amway Global Entrepreneurship Report (AGER).
It’s an optimism that permeates the research again this year, with 86 percent of Americans expressing positive attitudes toward entrepreneurship, up a remarkable 24 percent from 2014 and a resounding 11 percent more than the 2015 global average (75 percent). Echoed by their strong desire for “independence from an employer” and “self-fulfillment, possibility to realize own ideas,” at 75 percent and 72 percent respectively, this positivity is indicative of the country’s thriving entrepreneurial spirit.
“The attitude toward entrepreneurship is not only remarkably high but significantly increased from last year when fewer than two-thirds of respondents reported a positive attitude,” notes Dr. David B. Audretsch, professor and director of the Institute for Development Strategies at the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs. “What’s more, the secondary importance of financial compensation contradicts the most prevalent stereotypes and myths about why people choose entrepreneurship.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7402451-amway-ager-spirit-index/
