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Regulation

Catch-22 for New Zealand QROPS providers

Tuesday 20th of March 2012

Good Returns reported last year on proposed changes to the Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS), which are used by expatriate Britons who want to transfer their UK pensions over to their new country.

New Zealand schemes have been hit with regulations requiring that 70% of investors' money is used to "provide an income in retirement", meaning investors will only be able to pull out 30% of their money initially when they reach the specified age of eligibility.

New guidance accidentally published by the UK's tax department HM Revenue & Customs, and reported by the International Adviser website, shows the harsh treatment of New Zealand schemes hasn't been watered down at all.

Britannia Financial Services director David Milner, an adviser who helps arrange pension transfers from the UK to New Zealand, said that apart from a few minor changes, "everything is still the same as it was" in the earlier draft.

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