Savings Bank Account Comparison in Spain

By Chris Burke
This article is published on: 5th March 2019

05.03.19

The most efficient way of losing money is to keep it in a current account. Many years ago offset mortgages were introduced, which were a great way of saving interest being paid on your mortgage. Effectively, any interest on savings you had in an account that was linked to your mortgage account, reduced the mortgage payments by that amount, more or less (most simplified explanation). So, if you had a mortgage of €250,000 and savings on a linked account of €50,000, each month it’s almost as if the mortgage was only €200,000 and you would only pay interest on that amount.

To understand why current accounts are the main way to lose money, let’s suppose,for example, you have €50,000 sitting in a current account for a rainy day. Inflation has been running at around 3% lately (that’s the increase in the regular items we buy). Therefore, just for your money to KEEP UP with that, it needs to grow by €1,500 per year. Over a period of 4 years that’s €6,000.

Therefore, it is very important that you have this money working for you, especially after the hard work it took you to earn it, both to keep up with inflation so it keeps its purchasing power and to grow to build your wealth.

The very least you should do is have the money in a savings account, or similar. So what are the current bank savings rates in Spain? Well, they will guarantee to lose you money every year, but they are better than having money sitting in your current account:

1.5% ING – interest rate per annum, deposit term 1 month
0.5% WeZink (Banco Popular) – interest rate per annum, paid given monthly
0.3% BNP Paribas – interest paid quarterly

Another way of keeping your money safe and perhaps earning a larger return if you are lucky, in sterling, is having UK Government backed Premium Bonds (annual prize fund interest rate of 1.4%). Did you know that you don’t need to be British OR live in the UK to have these?

If you would like to explore other options, then feel free to get in touch and we can discuss what will work for you AND your money, giving you flexibility along the way. Knowledge and advice will help you plan your finances.

Does Qrops or transferring your UK Pension overseas work?

By Chris Burke
This article is published on: 4th March 2019

Those people who have a UK private or company pension and are resident outside of the UK, more often than not have the choice to transfer their pension to a QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme), that is the process of moving your pension outside of the UK. However, what are the important points to note with this, how does it differ from having your pension in the UK and most importantly, does it actually work effectively?

For just over 10 years you have been able to move your pension outside of the UK. Over that time, I have seen mixed success at doing this, with the companies providing this service changing, fees in essence reducing and the options of managing this growing. What has also changed is the benefit of doing this, alongside the advice you receive. Unfortunately, I have come across many cases where this has not worked well, and the reasons are nearly all the same: bad advice was given by the financial adviser who put their clients is funds/pensions that were overpriced and expensive.

To summarise, the current key potential benefits of Qrops would be the first step to seeing if this could be the right choice for you:

Pension potentially outside of future UK law changes
Brexit and the impact it would have on being a British person living in Spain
Potentially side stepping an expected 25% tax charge for moving pensions after Brexit
Currency fluctuation (ability to change your pension to euros when convenient)
Portability – the ability to move your pension in the future if needed
Potentially reduced tax liability
Inheritance – potential reduction of tax to beneficiaries or potentially lower tax on death (depending on your country of residence)
Peace of mind
Closer personal management of your pension
Tax efficient (working alongside a local tax adviser) potentially

And what are the key points that might mean Qrops is not right for you:

Returning to live permanently in the UK in the next five years (or maybe longer)
Pensions total value under £60,000 (the charges would be, in my opinion, punitive)
A company scheme where the benefits outweigh transferring
In the near future, wanting to take most of the money from your pension
Not having your pension in a Qrops managed well and expensively

From the perspective of access to your money, there is currently not much difference to having a personal pension in the UK or a Qrops. With the rule changes a few years back, you can, in essence, get access to your UK pension from age 55 in the UK and as much as you like, just as in Qrops.

Where Qrops really can help is moving an asset away from the UK and any potential rule changes, which have been regular over the recent years (mainly worse for the person owning a private pension). Couple that with Brexit and a potential 25% tax charge, then having your pension outside the UK will give you peace of mind in knowing exactly what the pensions rules would be for you moving forward. Also, given the fact that if you did ever move back to the UK (statistics show that for a British couple, there is a 75% chance one of you will go back at some point), you can transfer it back with you (there could also be tax benefits of doing this) and with some pension companies no charge.

However, perhaps the most important question is, does it work? The simple answer is yes it can, BUT it has to be set up the right way, with the right company and if you are given the right advice for what your pension is invested in. Basically, it needs to be done for your benefit, not so that the adviser can earn as much commission as possible from your pension.

Whenever I take a new client on, I always ask them if they would like to speak to an existing client to see what their experiences were, which is what I would do when performing my own due diligence.

If you would like to talk through any pensions you have and what your options are, feel free to get in touch and know that you will be given good advice, whether you become a client or not.

G transferred her pension 4 years ago; it has grown significantly over that time. “Chris has always been consultative and there when we need him.”

J transferred his pension 6 years ago. “It has grown well over that time. Whenever I have needed money from my pension Chris has arranged this for me. I would recommend him for sure.”

C transferred her pension 5 years ago. “It has grown steadily in that time (I am a cautious investor) and since then my husband and I have asked Chris to help us with our other investments.”

Creating THE Folder – your financial snapshot

By Robin Beven
This article is published on: 27th February 2019

27.02.19

It was ten years ago that my wife, son and I (and our golden retriever) had to evacuate our house along with 15,000 other residents of La Nucia, Alicante, due to fire risk.

With forty mile-an-hour winds, the fire was fast approaching; we grabbed two suitcases of necessities, computer and personal documents case – that was about all we could fit into the car.

Fortunately, we returned 12 hours later and our house was still intact!

This reminded me to update my personal records because had they been lost, or worse still had I demised in the fire, my inheritors, loved ones, would have had undue strain at the most stressful time trying to deal with things. So, within a week I had updated everything in my fire-proof case and also recorded things digitally and let my executors know where all could be found.

Are you confident that all of the papers and documents you hold are not only all in order, but in equal measure, somewhere where they can be found and easily understood in the event of your demise? I know some individuals and couples who don’t know where all of the important documents relevant to their lives are.

We all spend time every year making sure the ITV for the car is sorted, house insurance and car insurance policies are up to date, tax returns are filed etc. How about putting some time aside to create a folder (let’s call it “THE Folder”) or fire-proof case where documents can be found?

So what is THE Folder?
It is a single file (physical or digital) where all important personal and financial information is kept? This allows access to these documents in the event that you are no longer around. If it is only one family member that takes the lead on the finances, it is imperative that other family members or executors know where to locate things.

So what should be in THE Folder?
Financial documents such as:
• Birth, marriage and divorce certificates, as applicable!
• Bank account details, including online login details
• E-mail and social media account details and logins
• Life assurance policies
• Funeral plan policy
• Pension documentation and statements
• Investment documentation and statements
• Wills (Spanish, UK, etc)
• House ownership deeds

THE Folder can be very simple, and I always suggest contact details for each of the relevant assets should be marked up as well. Also, make sure that when THE Folder is complete, you sit down together and explain all of the information it contains.

Is it worth the effort?
At a time of loss it can be stressful enough, without having to try to piece together the deceased’s financial affairs. This can be a really difficult time for family members, even more so if your support network, typically children, is back home in the UK.

However, preparing THE Folder is much more than just avoiding stress; if you leave behind an administrative nightmare, you could delay access to inheritors’ funds and potentially cost a small fortune in legal fees.

Which is best physical or digital?
This comes down to personal preference but I’d suggest both if possible. A digital file listing all your assets can be accessed by inheritors but, of course, there are original documents like wills, birth & marriage certificates to consider, hence, a fire-proof case.

An electronic file can be stored on your main computer, in the cloud or on an external hard drive. Make sure everyone knows how to access the computer, cloud or hard drive though!

A physical folder keeps all of the important information together, but make sure it is large enough to keep everything together. I’ve known one client 20 years, now elderly, and throughout have been unable to persuade her to use anything other than plastic bags! I even bought her two shiny new folders and volunteered to help her organise things. At least, when she declared her Modelo 720 (Overseas Assets Declaration) in 2013 this was half the job done!

How often should THE Folder be reviewed?
Firstly, note when it was created and last reviewed so that anyone using it knows. Then reviewing the THE Folder on an annual basis should be sufficient or, of course, whenever a significant change occurs which you consider materially important. Again, be sure to tell someone about it! There is little point going to the effort of creating such a folder if no one knows of its existence or where to find it.

Incidentally, along with my sister, I’m power of attorney (POA) holder to our mother that includes financial and health & welfare. It actually took months to record everything because of the added burden of having to write to all – as in the financial documents list above – with certified copy POA’s.

Please let me know if you would like a digital version of THE Folder that is printable as well.

Putting financial concerns in perspective

By John Hayward
This article is published on: 25th February 2019

25.02.19

Perspective ( /pəˈspɛktɪv/)
– To compare something to other things so that it can be accurately and fairly judged

We know that there is much going on with Brexit negotiations; we know that Trump is having issues with the Chinese and the Mexicans; and there are plenty of other things which we don´t yet know about, that could have an effect on our lives. When investing in stockmarkets, either directly or indirectly, there tends to be a focus on performance, whilst ignoring all other financial factors such as interest rates and inflation. It is regularly reported that markets are up, down or flat. It is rarely pointed out that interest rates have been low for a long time and that inflation has been consistently eating into the value of savings. There is also the fact that shares can receive dividends, which is pretty much ignored in reporting.

Another point to consider for those receiving pensions (or other income) from the UK in pounds, but spending in euros, is the GBP/EUR exchange rate. In this case, fluctuations in the exchange rate can seriously affect your disposable income.

In order to clarify my point, the charts below illustrate the behaviour of these factors over the last 15 years. This period includes arguably the worst period for all aspects over the last 15 years: 2008 and 2009.

I have accessed the information that makes up the basis of these charts from a variety of sources(*).

Interest Rates and Inflation

GBP/EUR Exchange Rate

FTSE100 Index Level

Comparison: inflation rate, interest rate and annual percentage changes in the GBP/EUR exchange rate and the FTSE 100

So what do we learn from this exercise? Putting them all together, apart from it being a pretty busy chart, we can see that, in the financial world, things go up and down. Nothing amazingly newsworthy there, but it is appreciating the size and frequency of these movements, in either direction, which is key. Then it is a case of seeing how these movements compare with the other factors. For a British immigrant in Europe who is paid in sterling, there has been a 20% fall in the spending power of his pounds since 2004. Interest rates have been below 1% for 10 years. Inflation, on the other hand, has averaged almost 3% since 2004. Put all of these together and for the cautious investor, finding the right home for savings has been more than tricky.

As much as people may be fearful of investing in stocks and shares, the fact is that over time, especially in the last 15 years, people have seen good returns when a considered and careful managed approach is taken. For those who are nervous about putting their money directly into stocks and shares, but want to, or even need to, have their money grow at least at the rate of inflation, we feel that we have the solution. As you will see from the chart below featuring a fund available to both UK and Spanish residents, keeping on top of inflation has been possible in almost every year in the last 14 and people have seen their funds grow consistently but with only a fraction of the risk of stockmarkets.

A Solution

The Spectrum IFA Group has been operating in Europe for many years; I have been with them since 2004 helping my clients through the volatility described above. With so much uncertainty, why not see if what we have available to us will be of interest to you?

Let us help you to put everything in perspective.

* Sources
Interest rates – Mortgage Strategy
Exchange rates – XE Money Transfer
FTSE100 – Yahoo Finance
Inflation – Iamkate
PruFund – Prudential

No warranty is made as to the accuracy of any information on third party websites and no liability is accepted for any errors and omissions or for any damage or injury to persons or property arising out of the use or operation of any materials, instructions, methods or ideas contained on such websites.

The danger of waiting for Brexit

By John Hayward
This article is published on: 22nd February 2019

22.02.19

There are many questions that we don´t know the answers to regarding Brexit. There are also questions that we don´t yet know. However, some facts are known. One of these is concerning investing, or not, since 20th February 2016.

This was the day that David Cameron, the then Prime Minister, announced that there would be a referendum on the UK´s membership of the EU. People have been fearful due to the uncertainty as to what will happen post-Brexit.

In the last three years, life has continued in the financial world and investment markets have risen significantly. At the same time, inflation hasn´t disappeared just because Brexit is on the menu. Figure 1 below shows how the FTSE100 has performed since 20th February 2016 along with the UK Retail Price Index.

With dividends reinvested, £100,000 would be worth around £136,000 as at 18th February 2019. If we allow for inflation, this would be more like £128,000 but still 28% up. If the £100,000 had been left in a bank account, with no interest which is commonplace these days, the true value would now be more like £91,000. Waiting for Brexit has cost the wait and see person £9,000.

Figure 1. Performance of the FTSE100 since the referendum announcement in February 2016 along with the UK Retail Price Index.

There are people who are not happy taking on investments which carry risk.

If we ignore the risk of inflation for the time-being, we have solutions which can cater for those who are happy taking some investment risk but without the volatility of stocks and shares.

Figure 2 illustrates that an investment with approximately an eighth* of the risk of the FTSE100 has still managed to perform well, certainly when compared to inflation. One must bear in mind costs but, even allowing for these, people who were invested in this type of investment on 20th February 2016 would have seen an increase of around 23%.

Taking inflation into consideration, it would still have produced growth of around 14%; a lot better than “losing” 9% by leaving the money in the bank.

Bottom PruFund vs RPI 20.02.16 to date-1

Figure 2. Performance of a low risk investment along with the UK Retail Price Index

With the exchange rate between GBP and Euros down about 11% over the same period, the need to receive more in income has become even more important. Losing 20% or so in real spending power has proven to be a tough pill to swallow. Get in contact so that the possible “Never Ending Story” of the Brexit can being kicked down the road doesn´t lose you even more over the coming years.

To find out how we can help you with our financial planning in a manner protecting you and your loved ones, contact me at john.hayward@spectrum-ifa.com or call/WhatsApp 0034 618 204 731

* Source: Financial Express

Ethical investing – what exactly does it mean?

By Chris Webb
This article is published on: 21st February 2019

21.02.19

Ethical, SRI, ESG?

For the average investor, deciding where to invest can be a complicated business. There are many factors and questions to consider, such as risk and return, potential taxes, inflation, dividends, and diversification. Yet now there is a new investment arena becoming more and more popular adding a different question into the mix:

How do you feel about where your money is invested?
I say it’s a new investment arena, and to many people it is, but ethical investing has been around for centuries in one form or another. As early as the 1700s, the Religious Society of Friends, probably better known by the name “Quakers”, refused to participate or invest in the slave trade or invest in weapons of war. But it was during the 1980s that ethical or socially responsible investing (SRI) began to attract the interest of mainstream investors.

It was then that the question of whether the investment is in a company that helps to make the world a better place became more prominent and, to some, just as important as the stock price.

Socially responsible investing (SRI) is the act of choosing your investments on the basis of social good as well as looking for financial gain. The main points investors look for are known as ESG, which stands for Environment, Social Justice and Corporate Governance, and although most investors aren’t socially responsible investors yet, their ranks are growing. As at 27 September 2017, UK investors were estimated to have more than £19bn invested in green and ethical funds.

SRI is choosing investments that are in line with your own personal values. However, those values aren’t the same for all investors. There are many areas to consider, the most common being:

Cleaner Environment: “Green” investors prefer companies that don’t pollute the environment. Some refuse to invest in traditional “dirty” fossil fuels and lean towards companies specialising in renewable energy, while others look for companies that focus on reducing the carbon footprint of their products and services. Interestingly, some of the world’s largest oil companies are focusing more and more on green, clean distribution channels.

Social Justice: Some investors refuse to do business in countries with a record of human rights violations. Others look for companies that provide their workers with a fair working wage and appropriate working conditions.

Health: Many SRI investors refuse to invest in companies that sell tobacco or alcohol. Others refuse to invest in products that they think pose a threat to human health, such as genetically modified organisms and chemical companies.

Morality: Many socially responsible investors will attempt to avoid all “sin industries” such as alcohol, tobacco and gambling to name a few.

Traditionally, ethical investments have been seen as feel good investments and many investors are turned off by the idea of investing ethically because they believe that it may mean sacrificing returns. However, this isn’t necessarily the case.

While it is possible to invest directly into ethical companies, putting your money into individual shares is a comparatively risky strategy. Many investors prefer instead to opt for ethical mutual funds, which invest in a broad range of socially responsible companies.

Some of the funds will utilise a negative screening model, this means simply refusing to invest in companies, jurisdictions or asset classes that don’t meet the required standards. It’s a blanket decision to avoid them. For instance, many socially responsible mutual funds screen out tobacco companies. An alternative method is positive screening, which is actively choosing companies due to their responsible working conditions. An example of this would be to choose companies that have signed the CERES principles – https://www.ceres.org/about-us

So how do you get involved?
Putting your money into an SRI fund isn’t all that different from making any other investment. All you’re really doing is adding an extra step to the process. There are two areas to consider during the decision-making process.

What is your social goal? What is really important to you?

What is your financial goal? What do you expect to get out of it?
So, you need to decide what your social goals are, what your values are and what is important to you from an emotional perspective; then you need to add the second layer, which is your financial goal and explore whether it fits within your attitude to risk and whether the potential returns are acceptable to you. You may find that this limits what options are available to you, but there are some great funds out there that will diversify across multiple asset classes and jurisdictions whilst maintaining an ethical overview across the board.

Moving your money into socially responsible investments is a win-win for some investors. It lets you make the most of your money in two different ways. You have the potential to earn good returns, and at the same time promote values that are important to you. The only real downside is that it takes a bit more work to find the right investments to meet two sets of goals, social and financial, instead of just one.

Do you engage in socially responsible investing? Is this something that interests you?

To discuss how and where to get involved in ethical investments, get in touch on 639118185 or by email to chris.webb@spectrum-ifa.com

Creating THE Folder…

By Jeremy Ferguson
This article is published on: 18th February 2019

18.02.19

It was only recently I wrote about the fact we are all living longer as a result of improved lifestyles and medication, and the lovely Spanish lifestyle we are all enjoying.

The point I was making is how it is all very relevant to our finances and how we best manage them. But what if you are the one who tends to manage the family affairs and finances: are you confident that all of the papers and documents you hold are not only all in order, but equally as important, somewhere where they can be found and easily understood in the event of your demise? I am aware of many couples who would not know where all of the important documents relevant to their lives are. It is all down to who normally runs the financials, and that can the husband or the wife.

So what is THE Folder?
It is a single file (digital or physical) where you keep all of your important personal and financial information together. It allows easy access to these documents in the event that you are no longer around to help. It is really important to have it in place when one family member takes the lead on the family finances; this includes paying bills, managing accounts and storing documents. Even if that is not the case, it is an important exercise.

So what should be in THE Folder?
All documentation that is relevant to running your household with regards to finances, such as:

Birth, marriage and divorce (if applicable!) certificates
Bank account details, including online login details
E-mail and social media account details and logins
Life assurance policies
Funeral plan policy
Pension documentation and statements
Investment documentation and statements
Wills
House ownership deeds

THE Folder can be very simple, and I always suggest contact details for each of the relevant policies etc. should be clearly marked as well. Also, make sure that when THE Folder is complete, you sit down together and explain all of the information it contains, as it will be as useful as a chocolate tea pot if you don’t both know exactly what is there.

Is it worth the effort?
Well, I think it is worth the effort. At a time of loss it can be stressful enough, without having to try to piece together the deceased’s financial affairs. This can be a really difficult time for family members, even more so if your support network, typically children, is back home in the UK.

To give you an example of this, the UK Department of Work and Pensions estimates that there is currently more than £400 million sitting in unclaimed pension pots in the UK.

Which is best…..physical or digital?
This comes down to personal preference. It can be done by either creating an electronic file that survivors can access in the event of death, or an actual paper file. An electronic file can be stored on your main computer, in the cloud or on an external hard drive. Make sure everyone knows how to access the computer, cloud or hard drive though!

Alternatively, if you use a physical folder to keep all of the important information together, make sure it is large enough to keep everything together. The good old shoe box has been a long time winner in this department, although a well organised file does make life a lot easier for everyone.

For what it’s worth, I find lots of people prefer paper and are happier with hard copies of everything. I personally prefer digital, which I have shared with some trusted family members. It may even be worth considering asking your legal advisers to hold the folder on your behalf (electronic is much better for this reason), so a simple visit to them if anything happens means they can assist you far more easily with everything.

Typically they will want all of the information it contains anyway, so by saving time when it becomes relevant, the small annual charge they may make for holding the information will normally be offset.

How often should THE Folder be reviewed?
It is sensible to note the date that it was last reviewed, so that anyone using it has an idea of how up-to-date the details are, and then going forward, reviewing the file on an annual basis should be sufficient, or of course, whenever a significant change occurs which you consider materially important.

And finally…
I have already stressed this, be sure to tell someone about it! There is little point going to the effort of creating such a folder if no one knows of its existence or where to find it…..

10 Rules of Successful Investments

By Robin Beven
This article is published on: 15th February 2019

15.02.19

Successful long-term investment is not just about buying low and selling high – although that is always a good principle to bear in mind.

Share prices can be susceptible to unpredictable external factors ranging from political newsflow to the weather, which can lead to investing – particularly during times of high volatility and uncertainty – feeling a bit like negotiating a minefield.

One way to make sense of such a potentially confusing world is to go back to basics – markets may rise and fall but the rules of sensible investment remain constant.

Buy what is right for you
Just because an investment works well for somebody else does not mean it is necessarily right for you. Consider your own situation – your future liabilities, your investment goals,
timeframes and, most importantly, your appetite for investment risk be it lower, medium or higher – and then make your decision.

Diversify
Spread your risk by diversifying your portfolio across a mixture of asset classes, industry sectors and areas of the world. If you put all your money into a single asset class,
sector or company, your portfolio becomes vulnerable and performance is likely to be volatile. However, mixing it up means that, when the value of one asset is falling, another
might be rising and so could help to compensate towards your expected returns.

Never buy what you do not understand
History is littered with funds that promised a great deal but when faced with pressure from the market, collapsed with all those promises broken. Some shares or funds might sound
very exciting – and perhaps straightforward – but if you do not really understand exactly what the company does or how the fund works, steer clear.

Do not become emotionally attached
It is wonderful if a holding has worked for you, but you do not have to feel too attached – the share or fund does not know you own it. You should look at every existing investment with the same clear-headed objectivity as you did before you bought it – and, when it is time to sell, do so with a clear conscience.

Be your own person – do not follow the herd
Many investors became caught up by the euphoria that surrounded the ‘dotcom’ boom of the late 1990s, simply because everyone else was excited and they did not want to miss out. Consequently, they bought into companies that promised much and delivered little or nothing. It is hard to swim against the current but always take a step back and consider not only what you are buying but why. There are a number of “multi-asset” funds in which to invest and are a good starting place for most. These offer a blend of equities, bonds and cash that are managed for you by very large institutions and cover most investment risk parameters.

Review your portfolio regularly
Your portfolio should have been constructed to meet objectives based on your existing needs and your goals for the future. However, over time, your needs and circumstances can change – as indeed can the markets – and your portfolio may require the odd tweak to make sure it keeps up. Review it regularly – perhaps every one to three years – and make sure
it stays on track.

Do not believe everything you read or hear
Headlines on television and in the newspapers can initially be just as misleading with regard to finance and investment as they are to, for example, sport or celebrity gossip. Try not to
be distracted by day-to-day ‘noise’. Instead, make sure you keep a clear head, remain focused on your objectives and take advice from a qualified professional to ensure you are making the most of your investment portfolio.

The long and complicated relationship with social charges

By Katriona Murray-Platon
This article is published on: 12th February 2019

12.02.19

Most people accept that when you live in a country you have to pay local taxes. Equally, most people can understand the fact that in order to get social benefits such as unemployment benefits and healthcare, you have to pay social security contributions. France, on the other hand, has another tax: social charges, which isn’t actually called a tax, but in fact operates very much like a tax.

Social charges were first introduced in 1991 and have been much grumbled about by French tax payers and expats living in France. It is not one social charge, but is made up of various types of social charges, the rates and combined rate of which has increased progressively over the years. Social charges are taken from all types of income, but where they have caused the most problems is the social charges on capital and rental income, especially for non-resident tax payers.

In 2015, following a challenge by a Dutch national, Mr De Ruyter, the European Court of Justice held that the social charges on rental and capital income were not a tax but a social security contribution and that an EU national should not be required to pay social charges in France when they are paying or have paid social security contributions in their own Member State. The French Administrative Court, the Conseil d’Etat then confirmed that decision and orders were issued to the French tax offices to reimburse the social charges paid to non-resident EU nationals or resident EU nationals who were covered for their health insurance by another EU system (under the S1 form, for example). This led to hundreds of thousands of pounds being reimbursed for the tax years 2012, 2013 and 2014.

In an effort to resolve the problem of the drop in funds being collected, in 2016 the French government changed the allocation of the social charges from rental and capital income so that they were no longer paid to the social security body, but to the Old Age Solidarity Fund and the Social Debt Depreciation Fund. Therefore, claims could not be made on income earned in 2015 taxable in 2016 or on capital gains from 2016 onward. This was a bit of last minute shuffle to seemingly comply with the European judgment, however the legal grounds of this abrupt turnaround were questionable.

On 31st May 2018, the Nancy Administrative Court of Appeal held that even these social charges should not apply to those covered by another EU Member State social security scheme. This meant that the major part of the social charges (14.5%) should be refunded. Although this decision has been referred to the European Court for a ruling and has yet to be confirmed by the Conseil d’Etat, claims for 2016 and 2017 should be made now to avoid being time barred later (2015 is time barred as of 31st December 2018).

Whether or not it is because the French government is expecting the European Court of Justice to rule against them again, the Law on Social Security Financing of 2019 has now entered into force, stating that tax payers who do not rely on the French social security system for their healthcare, but on a healthcare system of another EU Member State, Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein or Switzerland, are exempt from the CSG and CRDS on capital and rental income. Social charges in general have been reorganised so that, as of 1st January 2019 there are only the CSG and CRDS. However a new social charge has been introduced called the “Prélèvement Solidaire” at a rate of 7.5%, which means that the total amount is the same as last year at 17.2%. Under the Social Security Financing Law of 2019 those not reliant on the French State for health cover, as described above, only have to pay this 7.5% social charge.

An Order published on 7th February 2019 by the French parliament on the situation of Brits in France in case of a No Deal Brexit has stated that all current healthcare arrangements would be maintained for a period of 2 years following the Brexit. Although this is good news, it is subject to the UK reciprocating the same rights and guarantees.

Whilst no one knows what the final Brexit outcome may be, it would still be worth getting in touch with a financial adviser to review your investments and see how you can benefit from these new tax changes.

BRANCH 23 – Tax Efficient Investment In Belgium

By Spectrum IFA
This article is published on: 11th February 2019

11.02.19

While you are living in Belgium, you have a number of valuable investment options available to you. If you wish to maximise tax efficiency, Branch 21 or Branch 23 products are very attractive. These are life insurance products widely used in Belgium for saving and investment. While Branch 21 can provide security through guaranteed returns, Branch 23 offers access to a wide range of assets which can provide you with excellent long-term capital growth.

Branch 21 vs Branch 23
Branch 21 products provide the investor with a guaranteed return (at the time of writing, between 0.1% and 1%), with a possible bonus. However, the bonus is not guaranteed and is dependent on the insurer’s terms and conditions. This solution is popular as a pension strategy, but crucially the effect of inflation should always be taken into account when calculating the real rate of return.

By taking out a Branch 21 policy, you qualify for tax relief, which can mean a tax saving of up to 30% on the amounts invested. Currently you can invest up to €980 per year and receive tax relief on it. You can invest more, up to €2,350 per year, in the long-term savings system.

A Branch 21 policy can have a fixed term of, say, ten years, or it can be open-ended. An open-ended policy ends when the policy is surrendered, or on the death of the life assured. You are also able to take out additional guarantees, such as death or disability cover. Note that as this is a life insurance policy, there is a 2% tax on premiums unless it is a pension savings insurance policy.

If Branch 21 is the no-frills option, then its sibling, Branch 23, is the all singing, all dancing alternative that offers broader investment scope and the prospect of higher returns (with of course the increased risk that comes with foregoing a guaranteed yield). A Branch 23 policy can invest in a wide range of assets including:

1. International, multi-asset mutual funds
2. Discretionarily managed portfolios
3. Active or passive investments

Importantly, there is no maximum investment in a Branch 23 product, and for larger amounts you can also access personalised, discretionary investment management.

Returns will vary, depending on market conditions, your attitude to risk and the length of time you remain invested. With the help of a financial professional, you have the opportunity to design a portfolio to suit your personal circumstances, maximising potential returns whilst managing and understanding the principles of investment risk and reward.

The time horizon is key here ie. how long before you envisage needing access to your money. You should not be investing in a portfolio like this unless you have a time horizon of at least 5 years.

Tax efficient investment
As mentioned previously, these solutions are very tax efficient. A 2% tax is payable on premiums if it is not a pension savings insurance policy, but in addition to up to 30% tax relief enjoyed by Branch 21 investors, you will not have to pay withholding tax (based on a notional return of 4.75%) if you leave your funds invested for at least eight years. If you did not received a tax benefit on the premiums, then there is no tax to pay on the money that has accumulated.

With Branch 23, you still pay 2% on your premiums (like Branch 21), but you do not pay a withholding tax on your investments unless it has additional performance guarantees (for example, from structured products). In that case, the withholding tax will then be calculated on the actual return and not a notional 4.75%.

Other than that, there is no tax to pay on the final amount, or on any withdrawals.

Furthermore, these products can also be very useful when it comes to estate planning, since the beneficiary and the life assured do not necessarily have to be the same person. Let’s walk through an example: a parent wishes to gift a substantial amount of money to their child. The child can be designated as the beneficiary of the policy and the parent as the life assured. At the time of the parent’s death, no inheritance tax is due if the parent passes away at least three years after gifting the sum of money to the child (the beneficiary). This is a straightforward and reliable way of ensuring that your wealth is passed on to the people you care most about, without them having to pay inheritance tax on the bequest.

Additional benefits
On top of tax efficiency, estate planning opportunities and the freedom to invest in a wide range of international, multi-asset funds, if you have existing investments these can also be transferred into your Branch 23 policy, with flexible access when you need it.