In this new video from EisnerAmper, one of the nation’s leading providers of employee retirement plan audits, partner Kriste DeAngelo presents a basic outline for how Benefit Plan Administrators should take extra care to avoid late filing of Employee Retirement Plan contributions, or remittances. View EisnerAmper’s newest video at http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7461932-eisneramperemployee-benefits/ DeAngelo, who is the lead engagement partner for over 50 retirement plan clients, says there are three steps all plan professionals should take at the outset
Determine the earliest date that your company can reasonably segregate participant deferrals from the general assets of the company and remit into the Plan, and document the company’s remittance process. 2. Follow what has been documented. 3. Check the remittance data throughout the year – this is crucial. According to DeAngelo, “Anything outside of the expected time frame could be considered a late remittance by the DOL and should be voluntarily corrected.” DeAngelo goes on to say that many benefit managers stumble on the perception that, according to the DOL, retirement plan remittances must be made “no later than the 15th business day of the following month.”
To view the multimedia release visit:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7461932-eisneramper-employee-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
Hawaii Film + Arts International today announced their First Annual Hawaii Film Challenge, an international screenwriting contest open to a global pool of talent, and awarding three winners airfare and lodging for their creative team, as well as casting, production staff, and equipment support, and a 10-day shoot and production experience in Hawaii, culminating in an exclusive screening.
The competition is open to entrants 21 years of age and older, and is targeting short film scripts (10-12 minutes) from passionate filmmakers who want the opportunity to have their story produced.
“We created this challenge to give emerging filmmakers a once-in-a-lifetime platform for their voices, and to extend established talent the opportunity to have a truly unique shoot experience,” said Mark Blackburn, co-founder of Hawaii Film + Arts International, patron to several leading Pacific artists, and one of the country’s foremost Polynesian art scholars.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/8021051-hawaii-film-arts-international-2017-challenge/
The iconic Caesars Palace celebrated Independence Day Weekend by paying homage to its colorful history of hosting amazing daredevil stunts with a night jump by the Red Bull Air Force skydiving team in front of the famed resort on Sunday, June 3, followed by a colossal 13 ½ minute fireworks extravaganza.
The festive party began just before sundown with live entertainment on the iconic front fountains. Winner of “American Idol” season five, Taylor Hicks, got the patriotic party started with his popular song, “Seven Mile Breakdown,” followed by “Nineteen”. The roster of live entertainment also included cast members from ABSINTHE and the TSA Color Guard.
Today, Suzhou Tourism launched its first-ever campaign to directly target North American travelers – the “Experience Suzhou: The Venice of China and the City of Scholars” sweepstakes, open for entries now through October 23, 2015 at www.TraveltoSuzhou.com/Sweepstakes. Available to residents of the Continental United States and Canada, the online promotion will award 18 travelers (nine winners plus one guest each) a six-day visit to Suzhou between November 2015 and January 2016.
Situated just west of Shanghai, Suzhou is deeply rooted in culture and heritage as one of the oldest cities in the Yangtze Basin dating back more than 2,500 years. With its narrow streets and winding waterways, Suzhou truly lives up to its nickname as “Venice of China.” Taking advantage of this hidden gem location, sweepstakes winners and their guests will enjoy a six-day package inclusive of round-trip coach airfare, accommodations at one of the city’s top hotels, three meals daily, and a guided trip through the city each day. The trip itinerary will offer a quintessential Suzhou experience featuring visits to a selection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Humble Administrator’s Garden and Lingering Garden, as well as Tiger Hill, Suzhou Museum, Pinjiang Road, Silk Museum, Tongli, and authentic experiences at iconic restaurants such as Songhelou and Deyuelou. The trip is the ultimate vacation adventure for anyone who wants to visit China and experience true Chinese culture.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7584351-suzhou-tourism-sweepstakes/
November is National Family Caregivers Month and AARP is launching a national campaign to bring awareness to the important role that family caregivers play in the lives of their loved ones. AARP's Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers contest will begin on October 15 with the goal of encouraging people to recognize and reward caregivers - many of whom spend 18 hours per week providing care like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, administering medications, driving to doctor visits or paying bills - in small but meaningful ways.
“Caregiving may be one of the greatest expressions of love and it's woven into the lives of one in six adults,” says AARP Family and Caregiving Expert Amy Goyer, author of the new book Juggling Life, Work and Caregiving. “A staggering 40 million family caregivers provide support for loved ones and, as a caregiver myself, I know that the smallest acts of kindness - like holding a door for someone pushing a wheelchair, surprising them with flowers, or even taking a caregiver's dog for a walk - can be memorable moments in the life of a caregiver.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7607231-aarp-caregivers/
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/
Today, with the support of Water.org and its co-founders Matt Damon and Gary White, Stella Artois launched its first global social impact campaign ‘Buy a Lady a Drink’ to drive awareness of the global water crisis and help provide solutions. Every day, women around the world spend a combined 200 million hours collecting clean water for their families. ‘Buy a Lady a Drink’ aims to help put a stop to these water-collecting journeys, so women can start new journeys of their own.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7425551-stella-artois-water-org/
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/
World Water Day is March 22, and the children and youth of Children International are celebrating around the world. They know firsthand the difference clean, accessible water can make in their lives.
Some of them also know what it feels like to make clean water available to others. In 2012, the youth of Children International in Lusaka, Zambia, dedicated their Youth Empowerment Fund to extend the supply of clean, piped water to the poor community of Chibolya.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57995-children-international-world-water-day
Kyle Rudolph and Lefty, the Hamburger Helper Hand, kick off the season by bringing ideas to refuel active families on busy days. This Football season, Minnesota football tight end Kyle Rudolph and Helper® are fueling big days and nights with tips and recipes inspired by Kyle’s life from a kid to a pro.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63423-hamburger-helper-minnesota-tight-end-kyle-rudolph-recipe-football-season
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/
