What is a QROPS?

One of the many UK pension options for Britons living abroad today is transferring to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS).

QROPS is a label for foreign pension schemes that meet HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) rules to receive transfers from UK-registered pension funds. Introduced in 2006, they enable British expatriates to simplify their affairs by taking their pensions with them. But despite being widely seen as the answer for expatriate retirees – potentially offering significant advantages – QROPS are by no means a one-size-fits-all solution.

What are the pros and cons of a QROPS?

  • Flexible access

While UK pensions can be restrictive, many QROPS allow you to take as much cash or income as you like, however and whenever you want. You could, for example, draw a higher income in early retirement when you are most active and reduce it in later years. Or you could take a lump sum and preserve the rest for a rainy day or to pass on to your heirs.

But this freedom also brings more potential to exhaust your funds – unlike a UK annuity or ‘final salary’ (defined benefit) pension which provide a guaranteed income for life.

  • Diversification and investment choice

QROPS usually offer more options than UK pensions for how your money is invested and are not as over-exposed to UK assets. You can choose a flexible investment plan across a wide range of funds to suit your circumstances, objectives, timeline and risk appetite.

As the value of any investment can go down as well as up, this introduces an element of risk to your retirement funds that is absent from a guaranteed annuity. However, an active, well-diversified investment approach can manage and minimise risk.

  • Estate planning flexibility

While most UK pensions are only payable to your spouse on death, QROPS offers the option to include other heirs. So rather than dying with you or your spouse, your pension wealth could pass to any named beneficiary, even across generations.

QROPS may also offer some protection from UK inheritance tax when passing pension assets to non-UK resident heirs, although they may still be subject to local succession taxes.

  • Multi-currency options

While UK pensions only pay out in sterling, some QROPS allow you to invest funds and make withdrawals in more than one currency. This is a major advantage for British expatriates in Portugal as it removes currency conversion costs and reduces dependence on pound/euro exchange rates.

  • Freedom from UK rules…to a point

Funds in a QROPS are no longer governed by UK pension legislation, so are generally protected from future changes to UK rules. Beware, however, that (unless you transferred before 9 March 2017) you could still be subject to UK legislation – and taxation – if you move outside the EEA within five UK tax years of the transfer date.

Where the transfer falls within the unauthorised payment rules, tax penalties of up to 55% on the transfer value can apply – potentially even if you moved funds before the rules changed.

Are transfers tax-free?

Yes and no. Currently, EU residents can transfer UK pensions into an EU/EEA-based QROPS tax-free. However, transferring to a QROPS outside the bloc will trigger a 25% UK ‘overseas transfer charge’. As there are no Portuguese schemes on the list of approved QROPS, you would need to take care to choose a suitable scheme in another EU/EEA country to avoid penalties.

The 2021 UK budget did not include any changes to QROPS, so transfers to EU/EEA-based QROPS remain tax-free for EU residents, even with Brexit. That said, now that the UK has left the bloc, the government has more scope to extend the 25% tax charge to capture EU transfers in future.

Once in a QROPS, funds are sheltered from UK taxes on income and gains and no longer count towards your lifetime pension allowance (LTA), currently set at £1.073 million. If your combined pension benefits are over the lifetime allowance at the time you transfer to a QROPS, 25% is charged on the excess, but funds would be immune from further LTA penalties.

Otherwise, QROPS funds only become taxable once you start taking benefits in your country of residence.

How are QROPS taxed in Portugal?

Portuguese residents accessing QROPS income are charged progressive income tax rates ranging from 14.5% to 48% in 2021, unless you hold non-habitual residence (NHR). Under NHR, QROPS/UK pensions are instead taxed at a flat rate of 10% for the first decade in Portugal. If you qualified for NHR before the rules changed in April 2020, you can continue receiving tax-free QROPS and foreign pension income for the remainder of your ten-year NHR period.

If you do not have NHR status (or your term has expired), you could consider alternative tax-efficient options for reinvesting UK pension funds as a Portugal resident.

The importance of regulated, tailored advice

Overseas pension transfers are complex – and a key target for pension scams – so do not underestimate the value of regulated advice. You should explore your full range of options, not just QROPS, to establish the most suitable pension solution for your particular circumstances. In any case, you will need specialist guidance to find a suitable product, navigate the cross-border tax issues, and ultimately secure your long-term financial security in this ever-changing pensions landscape.

Blevins Franks is fully qualified to provide advice on UK pensions and offers a range of solutions for Britons living in Portugal. Talk to one of our local advisers to discuss your options for making the most of your pension benefits, as well as suitable tax, investment and estate planning opportunities for you.

For more information, contact us on:

Tel: 289 350 150
Email: portugal@blevinsfranks.com
Website: www.blevinsfranks.com

Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; individuals should seek personalised advice.

Blevins Franks Wealth Management Limited (BFWML) is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority, registered number C 92917. Authorised to conduct investment services under the Investment Services Act and authorised to carry out insurance intermediary activities under the Insurance Distribution Act. Where advice is provided outside of Malta via the Insurance Distribution Directive or the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II, the applicable regulatory system differs in some respects from that of Malta. BFWML also provides taxation advice; its tax advisers are fully qualified tax specialists. Blevins Franks Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority for the administration of trusts, retirement schemes and companies. This promotion has been approved and issued by BFWML.