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 period between Christmas and New Year’s typically has one of the highest rates of impaired driving fatalities, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In an effort to reduce drunk and buzzed driving related incidents during the holidays, NHTSA, the Ad Council and the Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) launched their 12th annual “Project Roadblock: Local TV Puts the Brakes on Drunk Driving.”
Project Roadblock was created in 2004 in support of NHTSA and the Ad Council’s Buzzed Driving Prevention public service advertising (PSA) campaign. To date, broadcast TV stations across the nation have donated more than $40 million in media to support this effort. The partnership aims to unite local television stations in creating a nationwide advertising roadblock by airing Project Roadblock PSAs (Public Service Announcements) between December 26 and December 31. Local broadcast stations voluntarily participate in the campaign by donating on-air, online and mobile time and space with a special push at 10 p.m. local time on New Year’s Eve. In addition, TV stations will be reaching out to their communities on social media to share social graphics and messaging to further reach audiences.
“Drunk driving remains a serious threat on our roads and claims more than 10,000 lives a year,” said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind. ”Local broadcast television is an effective tool in reaching consumers, and we thank the TVB, all the stations, and the Ad Council for their ongoing support of drunk driving prevention, especially during the holiday season.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7701751-ad-council-nhtsa-buzzed-driving-psa/
The egg has been associated with festivals celebrating spring for many centuries. Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to the 13th century or earlier. Eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the Lenten season, and there are rituals in many countries involving painting and decorating them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, and then eating them as a celebration of Easter.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54146-u-s-fda-playing-it-safe-with-eggs-food-safety-tips
The sixth annual Productive Innovation Index released by IDEA Pharma today, which ranks biopharmaceutical companies by their ability to successfully bring innovations to market, sees Johnson & Johnson top the industry for the fourth year running.
The Productive Innovation Index measures, scores and celebrates a company’s ability to deliver innovation to patients, by objectively evaluating performance data based on a rolling five year period (2010-2015), and operates on the premise: if you gave the same molecule to two different companies in early phase, which would make the best of it?
The success of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and its consolidation of 1st place across the past four years’ rankings is driven largely by innovations in the field of oncology, immunology, neuroscience and cardiovascular/metabolism. Notable performers include Zytiga® (prostate cancer), Imbruvica® (chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma (co-developed and co-marketed with Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company)), Simponi®/Simponi Aria® (rheumatoid arthritis), Stelara® (psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis), Invega Sustenna® and Invega Trinza® (schizophrenia).
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7770851-johnson-and-johnson-tops-idea-pharma/
Cincinnati, Ohio, a vibrant midwestern metro area buzzing with life that begs to be explored, is home to HGTV® Urban Oasis 2018. Fans can now visit HGTV.com/UrbanOasis to take a complete virtual tour and then enter for a chance to win the fully furnished Dutch Colonial-style home during the upcoming sweepstakes period.
Constructed by local builder The English Contractor and planned by local architecture firm Platte Architecture + Design, the home is part of a grand prize package valued at over $750,000 that will be awarded by the end of the year. One lucky winner will receive the residence and all its furnishings plus a $50,000 cash prize provided by national mortgage lender Quicken Loans®.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8281153-hgtv-urban-oasis-2018-cincinnati-ohio/
Three little lost lords, cast to the winds of fate…
So begins CHERYL HOLT’S breathtaking new trilogy, The Lost Lords of Radcliffe. A beautiful and epic historical romance that will stay with you long after the last page is read.
Join CHERYL HOLT as she once again weaves a beloved tale of family, loyalty, love, and loss. As the truth about the “lost” lords is gradually revealed, readers will be cheering. Find out more at http://www.CherylHolt.com. Romance
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) reported that its 2017 Meetings and Events program has led to significant growth in the industry sector, showing a 6.7% increase from January to October, when compared to the same period in 2016. Mexico has taken a leadership position as a destination for meetings and events with the relaunch of its strategic partnership program with meetings industry organizations and initiatives that aim to elevate its ICCA ranking, as well as to increase the economic impact of the meetings and conventions industry in the Mexican economy, which currently accounts for US$25 billion. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranks Mexico as 3rd in Latin America, 5th in the Americas, and 21st globally for meeting and incentive travel.
“The meetings and convention industry is a crucial part of our growth plan focused on elevating the average expenditure of travelers,” said Hector Flores, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board. “We are continuing to invest in building Mexico’s profile for business events and are working closely with industry leaders around the world to bring more corporate and association events to Mexico while introducing them to destinations beyond our traditional sun and beach offerings.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8242051-mexico-tourism-meetings-events/
Non-profit Enroll America, the nation’s largest health care enrollment coalition, is working with the Ad Council to encourage women to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act during the next open enrollment period, which runs from November 15, 2014 through February 15, 2015.
To raise awareness, Enroll America is working with the Ad Council to continue its successful “Take Care, People” integrated public service advertising (PSA) campaign encouraging the uninsured, particularly women, to enroll. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women make 80% of the health care decisions for their families. Women are also 47% more likely than their male counterparts to share information about health care with their friends, family and community. Lack of awareness is a critical issue among women, however, with 79% of those in the Enroll America study saying they do not know enough about the new law.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7368551-enroll-america-ad-council-second-affordable-care-act-open-enrollment-period-begins/
With a rich mix of cultures and a world-class educational setting, the town of Ann Arbor, Michigan, is the location of the HGTV Urban Oasis® 2016. Fans can now take a virtual tour of the renovated 1920s bungalow and then enter for a chance to win the fully furnished home during the upcoming sweepstakes period.
Located in the unique Water Hill area close to the prestigious University of Michigan campus, the charming home features an all-new interior and exterior with touches that make it a hot property for sustainable urban living at its best in this trendy neighborhood.
“HGTV recognized Ann Arbor as a small, friendly town with big-city sophistication and selected the location based on its proximity to the city’s most popular restaurants, shops and art galleries, close to schools, community parks and year-round activities,” said Ron Feinbaum, General Manager of HGTV Home Promotions.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7873151-hgtv-urban-oasis-2016/
General Mills is following consumer driven food trends with its line-up of products launching this summer around the world. Many of the new products closely align with increasing consumer interest in wellness, convenience, and snacking including new Yoplait Greek 2% Whips!, Nature Valley Nut & Seed Crunchy Granola Bars, Annie’s organic cereal, Old El Paso Mini Taco Boats, Totino’s Pizza Sticks and Häägen-Dazs Stick Bars.
The company’s broad portfolio of new products can be found in its 2016 New Product Showcase, available on the General Mills corporate blog, A Taste of General Mills: Blog.GeneralMills.com/2016/Summer
“We’re in a period of very rapid change in the food industry. And consumers are very clear about what they want – simple ingredient lists, free from artificial colors and flavors, free from gluten, less sugar, less sodium, more convenience. This translates into very a clear set of growth opportunities for us,” said Ken Powell, General Mills Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We’ve challenged ourselves to go out and really understand our consumers, get into their homes, shop alongside them and listen to what they want. These interactions allow us to build greater intuition, which helps us move much faster. Our new product line up demonstrates our ability to listen and respond.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7857151-general-mills-new-2016-products/
One lucky homeowner is going to be living the life in the mountain town of Asheville, North Carolina, location of the HGTV Urban Oasis® 2015. Viewers can now enter for a chance to win the grand prize package valued at more than $500,000 that will be awarded this fall. In addition to this approximately 1,300-square-foot residence and all its furnishings, the grand prize winner will receive a 2016 Acura TLX and $50,000 cash provided by national mortgage lender Quicken Loans.
During the giveaway period, which runs through September 24, eligible viewers can enter twice per day online at HGTV.com/UrbanOasis and can sign up for daily email reminders. HGTV Facebook and Twitter fans (#hgtvurbanoasis) can check in for ongoing updates and new details.
Decorated by interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn, the fully furnished HGTV Urban Oasis 2015 features an open-concept floorplan with two bedrooms and two baths. All the renovations on the home were overseen by HGTV house planner Jack Thomasson, which included raising the original roof to include a loft over the dining room. Designed by Wilson Architects and fully renovated by JAG and Associates Construction, the home remains indicative of the Asheville style: bold, transitional, creative, vintage, and handmade, with an emphasis on art and practicality.
To view the multimedia release visit:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7582251-hgtv-urban-oasis-2015/
The following statement is being issued by Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC regarding In re Prograf Antitrust Litigation.
A lawsuit is currently pending claiming that Astellas Pharma US, Inc. (“Astellas” or “Defendant”) violated state antitrust, unfair competition, consumer protection, and unjust enrichment laws of certain states by delaying the availability of a less expensive generic version of the immunosuppressant prescription drug Prograf® (known as tacrolimus). Plaintiffs allege that Defendant’s conduct caused some consumers and third party payors to pay too much for Prograf in certain states from September 3, 2008 to December 31, 2010 (also referred to as the “Class Damage Period”). This lawsuit does not claim that Prograf is unsafe or ineffective. Astellas denies any wrongdoing.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7933851-prograf-antitrust-class-action-settlement/
