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
Join this celebration of ten years of romance as we look at Lucy
Monroe and her happily ever afters. From books to conventions and
signings, see the fans, the covers and a very happy Lucy as she shared
this milestone with those who made it possible, her readers. Find out
more about Lucy and her novels at http://www.LucyMonroe.com Romance/News
Children with physical disabilities are twice as likely to be bullied, impacting their educational, physical and emotional development.* In support of National Bullying Prevention Month this October, Shriners Hospitals for Children® and award-winning actor, model and philanthropist, RJ Mitte, are once again partnering to encourage the public to help #CutTheBull.
Teens and adults alike are encouraged to visit CutTheBull.org and see how they can help create a more positive, accepting environment for kids living with disabilities. There, Shriners Hospitals will announce “RJ's Heroes”, honoring individuals who have helped reduce bullying in their communities. Supporters can also share their anti-bullying stories and purchase #CutTheBull t-shirts, with proceeds going to Shriners Hospitals for Children to provide life-changing care to kids.
Born with cerebral palsy, Mitte was bullied as a child and knows firsthand the effects it can have. The doctors and staff at Shriners Hospitals for Children helped Mitte overcome many of the physical effects of cerebral palsy, which made him stronger and able to succeed despite the bullying. Now a successful actor and model, Mitte wants to help other kids with disabilities who may be experiencing the same thing.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7559151-shriners-hospital-cut-the-bull/
Will Cheetos shaped like a Flamin’ Hot Croissant or a Cheesy Pineapple become the next famous piece of Cheetos art this summer? Cheetos, one of the flagship brands from PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division, is again asking America what they see in their Cheetos to find the most sought-after Cheetos works of art for the official Cheetos Museum, www.CheetosMuseum.com.
To officially kick off the hunt for the next priceless Cheetos shape, Cheetos and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! have teamed up to bring Chester’s exclusive exhibit to life in an unbelievable, must-see-it-to-believe-it way. Cheetos fans will hunt for hidden shapes in a completely immersive exhibit made with more than 128,900 Cheetos, and experience endless halls of one-of-a-kind Cheetos shapes in a mirror-lined infinity room at the Times Square (42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues) Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8117651-cheetos-museum-unique-shapes-contest/
Chili’s® Grill & Bar understands the heartache of losing a beloved menu item; so this is for the Fried Buffalo Cauliflower lovers and the Smothered Carnitas Burrito enthusiasts, because today is the day that Chili’s introduces its new “less is more” 75-item menu at all restaurants nationwide. This 40 percent menu cut is drastic, but it’s for the best as this decision was made with the best interest of Guests in mind. Chili’s is going back to its roots and investing millions into what the brand does best – burgers, ribs and fajitas.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8178951-chilis-goodbye-menu-items/
Change within the PR industry continued to accelerate in 2014 as more brands recognized their own power as publishers. In response to the growing demand for compelling content, PR Newswire’s clients rose to the challenge through narrative storytelling, use of rich visuals and an intelligent mix of distribution channels to amplify their messages.
On average, over 1,000 stories cross the wires in North America each day. With time remaining in 2014, PR Newswire’s editorial teams have already made over 40,000 editorial catches year to date - providing an additional layer of editorial review for your news. Helping clients achieve their strategic communications goals is the most rewarding and fulfilling aspect of what we do at PR Newswire, and our holiday video showcases some of our staff’s 2014 highlights.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7393051-happy-holidays-from-pr-newswire-2014/
Consumers seeking locally sourced products can easily find one in an everyday pantry staple – vegetable oil, which is primarily 100 percent soybean oil made from soybeans grown in the U.S. Sales of vegetable oil support more than 550,000 U.S. soybean farmers who strive to leave the land in better shape than they found it for America’s next generation of farmers. “I work hard to help produce an ingredient that I am proud to serve to my own family, as well as families across the U.S.,” said United Soybean Board (USB) Chairman Bob Haselwood. “Every time you purchase vegetable oil, or soybean oil, you’re supporting local farmers.” Haselwood produces soybeans on his farm in Berryton, Kansas. Many retailers sell soybean oil primarily produced with U.S.-grown soybeans. This past summer, USB partnered with a large Midwest grocery retail chain with 200+ stores to emphasize the importance of knowing where food comes from and educate about the benefits of soybean oil. During this promotion, unit sales of the store brand vegetable oil rose more than 27 percent over the same time last year, and shoppers commented that they were more likely to purchase soybean oil knowing it’s a U.S.-grown product. To view the multimedia release go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7689851-united-soybean-board-eat-local/
“A broad river is in waves, the rice flowers are sweet smelling over the banks…” On August 1, Chinese Army Day, an eye-catching ‘Flash Mob’ took place at Ginza Square, Tokyo, three Chinese young men, with deep affection, performing a ‘Red Song’ My Motherland, one of the classic songs written in praise of the Communist Party of China.
As they said, to fulfill their shared promise made five years ago, these three youngsters travelled a long distance from Nanchang, ‘the City of Heroes’ of China, gathering in Japan to express their patriotism and affection for their home country in the form of singing red song chorus. Accompanying their singing was an official promo of Nanchang displayed on the huge screen at the back of them. As images of Nanchang’s unique landmarks like the Monument of Nanchang Uprising, Tengwang Pavilion and the Twin Tower flittered one by one, their melody brought passersby, especially overseas Chinese back to that heroic city which, 90 years ago, once gave birth to the first authentic people’ army led by the Communist Party of China.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8155151-nanchang-tourism-chinese-army-day/
More than ever, people want to know what’s in their food, how it’s made and what companies are doing to contribute to a better world. That’s why Kellogg Company launched Open For Breakfast™ in the U.S. today, an open forum in the digital and social media space to hear what’s on peoples’ minds and share stories about Kellogg’s branded food, its commitments to communities around the world and its pledge to care for the environment.
Kellogg’s is inviting people to join the conversation at OpenForBreakfast.com and in social media, where the company will tell its story and have conversations with people about what they care about – sharing facts and figures, and visuals and videos featuring Kellogg employees, partners and consumers.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7397651-kellogg-s-open-for-breakfast/
Three Olives®, the original premium flavored vodka brand made with vodka imported from England, introduces “Find Otherness,” a new campaign celebrating those who believe a playful spirit of eccentricity makes life more exciting. “Find Otherness” launches today across video, native and social platforms with a 30-second spot and five vignettes highlighting the stories of individuals who embrace new perspectives and cast boring to the wind. The campaign will continue throughout the year with new partnerships, events and product offerings.
Three Olives collaborated with the duo behind Van Orton Design, whose signature kaleidoscopic, neon-colored aesthetic brings “Find Otherness” to life in the perspective-shifting new creative. The duo is featured in the first vignette, entitled “Find Inspiration,” and can be viewed at www.threeolives.com. The Van Orton brothers never reveal their faces in public, so the two-minute video is filmed from their perspective, singularly capturing what they see that brings inspiration to their art.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/8073751-three-olives-vodka-find-otherness/
Florida residents previewed Honey Nut Cheerios' one-of-a-kind living billboard, just outside of Orlando, to celebrate the classic cereal’s key ingredient –real honey. Much more than just a billboard installation, the three-story free-standing structure was home to more than 100,000 honeybees. The honey produced from the working hives was used to spell out “Made with Real Honey” on the exterior of the installation. The local Florida honey was used to produce a limited number of exclusive boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios.
Constructed in the farm fields at Diamond P Farm and Ranch, the honey-bees used in the creation of the billboard were supplied in partnership with Brent Dickson and his family, who are local Orlando bee-keepers. True to standards, most of the beekeepers who make the honey for Honey Nut Cheerios run family businesses and depend on their bees to make a living.
“Honey is more than just an ingredient – it’s the flavor at the heart of Honey Nut Cheerios. And that’s why we thought there was no better way to explain just how real the honey is that goes into Honey Nut Cheerios than by physically showing it,” said Jared Pippin, senior associate marketing manager at General Mills. “We wanted to honor the honeybees and show our support for the dedicated beekeepers who love honey just as much as we do.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7672051-honey-nut-cheerios-bee-to-bowl/
The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2015, the showcase event for the best that the automotive industry has on offer, opened in Detroit on January 12. As the only Chinese carmaker exhibiting at the show, GAC Motor made its blockbuster appearance with three proprietary models, among which, for one model, the GS4, the show was the vehicle’s world debut, drawing the attention of leading media organizations worldwide.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7418451-gac-motor-gs4-debut-naias/
