Rip-Off Fund Managers Sell Investors Short
City watchdogs are warning investors are paying too much to fund managers who look after their retirement cash. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) claims many fund managers market their schemes as...
View ArticleGibraltar Flexes QROPS Financial Muscle
The tiny financial centre of Gibraltar has been flexing its Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) muscles. The British Overseas Territory rates as equal fourth with The Netherlands for...
View ArticleFinancial Watchdog Takes A Bite Out Of Annuity Firms
Financial regulators are ploughing ahead with controversial proposals aimed at stirring up the annuity market for providers and improving retirement incomes for consumers. The Financial Conduct...
View ArticleFamily Companies Squeezed Out Of SEIS Tax Breaks
The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) is failing to help businesses raise much-needed cash because strict rules are stopping families from investing in their own companies. SEIS and the...
View ArticleBuy To Let Landlords See Returns Of Up To 1,400%
Investing in buy to let has given landlords an astonishing 1,400% return over the past 18 years, according to financial experts. Buy to let has outperformed all other asset classes over that time – and...
View ArticleVCTs Investments Hit 10-Year High
Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) investment hit the highest level in a decade raising £429 million in the last tax year. According to trade body the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), the 2014-15...
View ArticleOil Giants Boost Production Despite Falling Prices
Oil producing giants Kuwait and Abu Dhabi plan to increase output after discovering huge new fields despite the volatile price of crude. Abu Dhabi is planning a $25 billion project to build offshore...
View ArticleExpat Travel Warnings – April 30, 2015
May is traditionally the month for worker demonstrations and travellers and expats have been warned to be on alert for possible outbreaks of trouble in several countries. The Foreign and Commonwealth...
View ArticleBitcoin frauds just keep on coming
The promoters of virtual currency Bitcoin are working hard to establish a foothold for the brand but are continually knocked back by scammers. While Bitcoin promoters claim the electronic money is held...
View ArticleDon’t Rely On Banks In Greece, Warn Travel Firms
Expats and tourists worried about access to banks and cash machines in Greece should take extra euros to the country, according to travel experts. Although the limit on ATM cash withdrawals of £80 does...
View ArticleFATCA Opponents Launch Legal Challenge
Opposition to the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) has moved to the courts as lobbyists have launched a legal challenge against the law. The suit filed at a federal court in Dayton, Ohio,...
View ArticleUK Tightens Visa Checks To Stop Criminals Coming In
Foreigners applying for a UK visa must prove they have no criminal record before they enter the country under new rules coming in on September 1, 2015. The British government is making entry...
View ArticleEurope’s Turning Grey As We All Live Longer
Europe is turning grey as more people retire and are likely to live longer stressing social and economic policies across the continent, according to a new survey. The European Commission 2015 Aging...
View ArticleLandmark Bitcoin VAT Ruling In Europe
A landmark court ruling has sorted out some of the issues for trading the virtual currency Bitcoin. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled the supply of Bitcoin is exempt from VAT,...
View ArticleDo You Have Any Offshore Income To Declare?
As the taxman readies to crack down on British taxpayers benefitting from offshore income and investments, here’s a look at the new rules and what offshore income is. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is...
View ArticleIs Your Pension Money Safe With Auto-Enrolment?
Ministers fear trusts running workplace pensions for millions of retirement savers could go bust taking their money with them. Pensions minister Ros Altmann is concerned that many master trusts running...
View ArticleIf You’re Rich And Don’t Know It, You’re Mass Affluent
You may not feel wealthy, but it’s likely if you have an Aga stove, wine fridge or underfloor heating that you are better off than you think. A new survey suggests that many financially well off...
View ArticleCan I take a 30% tax-free lump sum from a QROPS?
Many retirement savers are confused over the tax-free lump sum they can take from their Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS). Many financial firms advertise that a 30% tax-free lump...
View ArticleRevealed – The Happiest Place To Live In The World
Everyone wants to be happy – so where is the best place for expats to go to enjoy their lifestyle? According to the latest World Happiness Report, the answer is somewhat surprising. The answer is...
View ArticleHaving children late in life increases debt for over 50s
Starting a new family in later life is becoming more common with more than a million over 50s in second time around relationships. Although enjoying a happy family life is a boon for most, tens of...
View Article
More Pages to Explore .....