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 Air National Guard is proud to announce the return of the Air National Guard Mobile Experience. The hands-on, immersive experience takes attendees on a journey through life in the Air Guard by letting them participate in simulated challenges that replicate real-life experiences of Air Guard men and women during Basic Military Training (BMT), technical training and on drill weekend. Through simulation, attendees will learn how they can serve their country while maintaining a fulfilling civilian life, by serving one weekend a month and two weeks a year near their home. The Air National Guard Mobile Experience includes five separate touring vehicles that are designed to educate Americans about Air Guard’s dual role in serving our nation and local communities. The touring vehicles will travel nationwide through November, and visit fairs, festivals, air shows, music and sports events, including Reebok Spartan and Lucas Oil Motocross races.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7250851-air-national-guard-mobile-experience-interactive-tour-2014
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/
In what may become the largest-ever food sampling event, on July 21 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar® will offer free sampler plates of its popular new Sriracha Shrimp and Churro S’Mores appetizers to guests.
Applebee’s anticipates serving about two million plates of Sriracha Shrimp and Churro S’Mores during “Taste The Change Day” at nearly 2,000 restaurants across the country. The offer is available to dine-in guests all day, with the option of adding other new appetizers at low sampler prices.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7428056-applebee-s-taste-the-change/
UNCF and the Ad Council are joining Paramount Pictures to launch a series of public service advertisements (PSAs) featuring footage from the upcoming film SELMA and original music written for the film by Common and John Legend. The :30 television spot, created pro bono by Paramount Pictures, will air on television stations in donated media around the country starting this week.
The PSAs are an extension of UNCF and Ad Council’s Better Futures campaign which aims to help African American students get to and through college by demonstrating how an investment in young people is an investment in all our futures. The campaign is a focused effort to remind Americans that their investments in education can change the life of a well-deserving student, and more importantly, the lives of generations to come.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7390751-uncf-ad-council-join-paramount-pictures-to-close-the-african-american-college-completion-gap/
New Amsterdam® Vodka is teaming up with talented street artists across the country to launch the “It’s Your Town” Street Art event series– an eight-city tour showcasing original works by local artists that celebrate the vibrant culture and people who make each city come alive. Each artist will draw inspiration from their city surroundings to create eight original pieces of work. The crown jewel of each exhibition will be a larger-than-life outdoor mural for the entire city to enjoy.
The final collection of “It’s Your Town” artwork will feature pieces from all eight artists, creating an opportunity for fans across the country to recognize and celebrate the individual culture that makes their cities unique.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7808951-new-amsterdam-vodka-its-your-town/
U-Haul, the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage, has teamed with a beloved Motor City charity to help previously homeless families transition from shelters into clean, dignified and welcoming homes. Humble Design Fueled by U-Haul, as it is now termed, was born seven years ago out of the idea that decent families emerging from homelessness in Metro Detroit deserve to come home to basic necessities like tables to eat at, sofas to sit on and beds to sleep in each night. Co-founder Treger Strasberg’s organization has assisted more than 660 families so far. With the support of U-Haul, that number will swell exponentially while expanding this noble pursuit to additional cities.
“The expertise, resources, national reach and community commitment of U-Haul make it a tremendous partner for Humble Design to take our mission nationwide to alleviate homelessness,” Strasberg said. “Working together, U-Haul and Humble Design will engage communities to serve families in need by turning houses into homes across the country.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7907151-u-haul-humble-design-partners/
Neighbors across the country will soon have an exciting opportunity to help change their communities for the better through State Farm Neighborhood Assist®. This philanthropic program awards 40 causes a $25,000 grant. Anyone in the United States can submit a cause beginning March 9 through March 30. Ultimately, voters will decide which community improvement projects win big.
Returning for its fourth year, State Farm Neighborhood Assist asks individuals to identify causes that would help make their communities safer, stronger and better-educated. Up to 4,000 causes will be accepted. The State Farm Youth Advisory Board (YAB) will then narrow down the field, using a scoring rubric to identify the top 200 submissions. The public will have a chance to vote 10 times a day from May 14 through June 3 for their favorite causes from the list of finalists. The 40 causes that receive the most votes will win a $25,000 grant. The nominations and votes will be accepted exclusively through a free Facebook app.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7417331-state-farm-neighborhood-assist/
Today at the 10th Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in New York City, the Ad Council in partnership with Year Up, the Employment Pathways Project, ConPRmetidos, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, New Options Project, and Opportunity Nation launched the national “Grads of Life” campaign to help businesses fill more than 4 million vacant positions within the United States with qualified workers. The launch took place during CGI’s inaugural in-person meeting of the new Youth Employment Action Network attended by both business and non-profit leaders.
Secretary Hillary Clinton shared a message in support of the launch: “As we continue the work of Job One at The Clinton Foundation, we need to continue to build partnerships and to recruit more businesses to solve this important economic challenge. The Grads of Life PSA campaign is the first effort to drive employer demand for the millions of low-income young adults that are a huge source of untapped talent in our country and through GradsofLife.org employers can now access the first-ever online platform for the information, tools, and resources they need to take action today. I am asking employers, educators, non-profits, community leaders to join me and the Grads of Life campaign in this bold agenda to grow our economy and to create new opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7328451-new-grads-of-life-campaign-launched-to-bridge-the-gap-between-employers-and-opportunity-youth/
The best lumberjack athletes in the country return to Milwaukee from July 27 to 29 to thrill fans with amazing athletic performances in the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Series Championships. The competitions, presented by STIHL and sponsored by John Deere, Duluth Trading Company, and Harley-Davidson, will feature the U.S. Collegiate, Men’s Professional, and Women’s Professional Championships. For the second straight year, German Fest Milwaukee will host the event. A record 15,000 fans attended the 2017 U.S. Championships and another record crowd is expected this year.
“Having the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® U.S. Championships return to German Fest is huge for us. The incredible event was a boon for attendance last year and brought thousands of new fans to our festival,” said German Fest President Eric Radue. “Local residents are already buzzing that this incredibly exciting sport will be back in Milwaukee this summer.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8261653-stihl-timbersports-german-fest-series-championships/
Today, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) unveiled its newest fundraising and endurance initiative, spin4 crohn’s & colitis cures, an indoor cycling event that will raise funds for research, awareness, and patient services. The inaugural event will take place on December 5th at local studios and fitness centers in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago as part of Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week.
“We’re eager to create a movement by launching spin4 crohn’s & colitis curesacross the country on December 5,” said Craig Comins, vice president of CCFA’s Team Challenge program. “It’s about motivating advocates to contribute to the IBD community and take research to the next level. We welcome all ages and athletic abilities to join us with one united voice to spin4 cures.”
Individuals form teams of up to four people per bike and participate in a two-hour indoor cycling relay. Alternatively, solo riders can take on the entire two-hours themselves. No matter the size of the team, each bike has a $1,000 fundraising commitment for CCFA. Professional instructors will lead teams to high-energy music offering a lively workout experience. The event is capped off with a cocktail hour to reward participants for their efforts in the stationary bike relay and fundraising success.
To view the multimedia news release visit
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7512651-ccfa-spin4-crohns-colitis-cures/
