Simon Hilton is a senior foreign exchange consultant at World First specialising in assisting private clients and companies with their foreign exchange transactions. Simon is authorised by the FSA to offer foreign currency options. To contact Simon directly for currency transfer information or a no-obligation quote please click here. Expat Focus: Simon, can you tell … Read more
In the first three articles of this brief series we examined what QROPS is, how it could benefit some expats (and others) and briefly how the system works. In the final analysis though, words can be confusing and there is no substitute for examples when it comes to showing how things work. Disclaimer: In all … Read more
courtesy of April Medibroker Introduction Following the rapid rise in “Global based companies” over the past decade, coupled to vast improvements in telecommunications and expansion of Internet services world-wide, the availability of private healthcare insurance services to the expatriate community, has never been better. However, of the 30-40 million estimated expats living or working globally, … Read more
Unless you’ve been on Mars since mid 2007, you’ll have seen that the global property and financial markets have been in something of a mess – and that’s putting it mildly! Just about everything that can be said on this subject, has now been said. It’s been analysed and debated to infinity with the TV … Read more
At first glance it may look like the title here must be a joke. Many new expats, and even some seasoned veterans, think that getting bank loans from foreign banks is just about impossible if one is a foreigner. There’s no doubt that in turbulent times it can be tricky, and perhaps even more so … Read more
In previous articles we examined the principles of QROPS, and why QROPS could be advantageous to expats in certain circumstances. In this brief discussion, we’ll look at some of the ‘qualification’ and related issues that apply to those trying to move their pension savings out of the UK to a QROPS. QROPS – A ‘not … Read more
By Elisabeth Dobson, Head of Private Clients at World First Small shifts in foreign currency exchange rates are common and happen in short spaces of time. However, over the past few days (article written September 17, 2009) sterling has dropped off steadily by over 2%. If you have entered into a contract to buy your … Read more
Many expats living overseas, particularly those approaching or at retirement age, start to worry whether or not they can get their pensions and other benefits paid outside of their country of origin. The good news here is that in the vast majority of cases this is never a problem, though there can be some things … Read more
It’s always a little sad when one has to start worrying about pensions. Expats are no different to most people in that the word ‘pensions’ reminds us that aging is inexorable and that we need to think about making some sort of provision for that period in our lives when work may be a thing … Read more
In the first article in this short series, we outlined a little of the background to the UK government’s decision to permit pension fund transfers out of the UK to overseas arrangements in certain circumstances. We also had a brief look at what exactly a QROPS was. In this article we will look briefly at … Read more