QROPS Providers
- Posted on 16th February 2018
- in Information
- by admin
What Is A QROPS Provider?
A QROPS provider is a company that operates QROPS. It could be a world wide insurance company (e.g. AXA) or it could be a specialist company in the country that the QROPS is based (e.g. Lifeyrissjodur in Iceland).
How Do I Know If A Company Is Recognised As A QROPS Provider By HMRC?
Every month HMRC publishes a list of the QROPS that it recognises. Not all QROPS providers are listed because they wish to remain private. The HMRC list can be found here. Not all QROPS are listed as some have chosen not to have their details published. In this situation you should ask to see a copy of the confirmation letter from HMRC.
Can A QROPS Provider Stop Being Recognised By HMRC?
Yes, if HMRC believes that a QROPS is being misused, it can withdraw approval, and a QROPS provider can voluntarily cease to be recognised. This can happen for a number of reasons and if it does you can face a significant tax charge levied by HMRC.
An adviser should not recommend a QROPS provider that is likely to have their QROPS provider status withdrawn.
What Happens If A QROPS Provider Gets Into Financial Difficulties?
All QROPS providers should set the plan up as a trust so that the plan’s assets are held separately from the company’s assets. You should be able to continue to receive an income from the plan and you can transfer it to another QROPS provider if necessary.
Can A QROPS Specialist Be A QROPS Provider?
Yes, some groups of companies have both QROPS advisers and QROPS providers. Usually they are separate corporate entities and the advisers will recommend the sister company’s plans.
We can arrange for an adviser to contact you when you give us your details in the box to the side of this page. Any adviser that we recommend will usually be independent and not promote just one company’s QROPS.
The information given in this article is strictly for information purposes only and is not to be construed as financial advice.
New Provider List Feb 2018
Within the last month, the QROPS pension market by 35 new pension schemes located offshore for expats.
This means there are now 1201 QROPS pensions for expats t choose from offered by a total of 28 financial entities. A year ago these numbers were higher; 1264 pensions were listed from 40 financial centres.
The table shows the current number of schemes in 2018, featuring the new listings and removals since the 2017 list.
Financial Jurisdiction | Number of QROPS |
---|---|
Australia | 554 |
Austria | 5 |
Barbados | 1 |
Belgium | 1 |
Bulgaria | 3 |
EU Institution | 1 |
Finland | 1 |
Germany | 12 |
Gibraltar | 41 |
Guernsey | 43 |
Hungary | 2 |
India | 13 |
Ireland | 61 |
Isle of Man | 320 |
Jersey | 39 |
Kenya | 2 |
Latvia | 3 |
Liechtenstein | 2 |
Luxembourg | 2 |
Malta | 36 |
Mauritius | 2 |
Netherlands | 17 |
New Zealand | 31 |
Norway | 1 |
South Africa | 3 |
Sweden | 2 |
Switzerland | 2 |
USA | 1 |