Stay up do date with relevant news and announcements related to pension, New Zealand superannuation regulation, overseas pension transfer and the Ranfurly Superannuation Scheme.
Following numerous bids by the U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson to call a snap election, the deadlock has finally been broken. MP’s voted 438-20 in favour of the general election and the date has been set for 12 December. This near-unanimous support for the general election following three prior failed bids comes after the second Brexit deadline of 31 October passing with no deal yet in place between the European Union and the U.K.
Read MoreThe Ethical Finance 2019 Summit is being held in Edinburgh and is being attended by over 200 leading finance experts, institutions, government officials and business representatives from around the world. Amongst those attending include Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the Archbishop of Canterbury and Baillie Gifford, who is the underlying fund manager of the Ranfurly Superannuation Scheme.
Read MoreEarlier this week, financial news and industry magazine Investment Week announced their finalists for the Investment Company of the Year Award 2019. Baillie Gifford is nominated in three categories including Best New Issue, Single Country and Group of the Year.
Read MoreWith on-going uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the talks of dramatic policy changes under the new Government, being aware of the potential impacts Brexit could have on your UK-based pension may help you get and remain ahead with your pension. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has signalled that Britain will leave the EU by the October 31 extended deadline with or without a deal if no agreement has been reached.
Read MoreHer Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has recorded an increase in the number of individuals that have transferred their pensions to a Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) in the 2018-19 financial year. The released data shows that there has been a 6% increase in the volume of transfers out of registered UK pension schemes, a total value of £640 million.
Read MoreTwo former employees of a New York-based investment advisory firm DeVere USA Inc, are accused by the US Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC), of providing pension transfer advice to hundreds of clients that may go against their best interest. In a conflict of interest which would see the employees receiving higher compensation from the pension transfer.
Read MoreAfter receiving the go-ahead, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) is implementing amendments that change the way QROPS providers handle transfers and deal with financial advisers. The amendments bring in stringent new rules both for advisers and asset/investment restrictions. Following news of these regulatory changes, Australian and New Zealand pensioners with their pensions in Malta-based overseas schemes are being urged to check whether their pension pots are at risk and whether their financial advisers can still act and work on their behalf.
Read MoreThe Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) published a newsletter in January confirming amendments to the country’s Retirement Pensions Act. The amendments bring in stringent new rules both for advisers and asset/investment restrictions. Following news of these regulatory changes, pensioners with their pensions in Malta-based overseas schemes are being urged to check whether their pension pots are at risk.
Read MoreIain McCombie is the investment manager of the Baillie Gifford Managed Fund that Ranfurly invests in. McCombie is an AA-rated manager, meaning that McCombie has beaten his bench-mark over a three-year period. This coveted rating is assigned to fewer than 25% of fund managers and provides a clear sign of their performance.
Read MoreThe UK Parliament will hold a second day of indicative votes today where different Brexit options will be explored. This comes after the UK Parliament rejected the withdrawal agreement on March 29th, following two previous rejections of the entire deal. A power vacuum is being created in the government and if this instability continues in the following years, it could result in a change in government following the next general election in May 2022 or even sooner.
Read MoreFor many of those with their pensions tied up in UK schemes and looking to get out, the looming threat of a no-deal Brexit, may mean being even more proactive in planning your future in retirement.
Read MoreThe Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently released findings on the quality of pension transfer advice given by specialist advisory firms. These findings show that less than half of the advice given to clients regarding their defined benefit pension scheme was deemed ‘suitable’, based on new rules set by the FCA regarding pension transfers.
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