A QROPS is a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme. In April 2006 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announced that they were amending pension legislation to accommodate transfers out of UK pension schemes principally designed for individuals who have left, or plan to leave the UK permanently. This legislation has enabled pension schemes outside the UK to apply to HMRC for approval as a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme, referred to as QROPS. Individuals with accrued UK pension scheme benefits can apply to have these transferred into a QROPS.
A QROPS is a pension transfer scheme that is recognised and registered by HMRC. It has to meet certain conditions and standards that are equivalent to those of a UK pension. Most UK pension can be transferred into an overseas scheme.
For non UK residents (including non-UK nationals who have frozen pension benefits in the UK) and persons leaving the UK on a permanent basis, the transfer of their UK pension to a QROPS can permanently remove many of the restrictions that exist under UK legislation and be significantly more tax efficient.
QROPS pensions schemes enable considerable flexibility in the range of investments available. A transfer from a UK registered pension scheme to a QROPS is regarded as a "benefit crystallisation event", so the transfer must be tested against the individual member's lifetime allowance (LTA.) - more information can be obtained here.
Using a range of international investments. funds within a QROPS can grow with no UK tax deducted (depending on the investment chosen).
If the member is a non-UK tax resident, no UK income tax is deducted at source on pension income. By carefully selecting the jurisdiction for the pension, maximum advantage can be taken if Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) are available.
A US QROPS must meet certain conditions and the client may have no involvement in the selection, management, or ownership of the pensions underlying investments. However most features are similar to a regular QROPS and the funds can be invested in a similar way. Thanks to the multi-currency options available from a QROPS, clients can have some or all of their pension payments in retirement paid in US Dollars, if they wish, to mitigate currency exchange rate risk.
As your life changes, so should your financial recommendations, this ensures relevance of position in a changing financial world.