Macquarie and OzForex to speed up UK pensions transfers
At the same time as debate rages in the UK financial services sector about offshore pension fund transfers, Macquarie Adviser Services and OzForex have entered into a joint arrangement aimed at streamlining the process of transferring pension funds to Australia.
According to OzForex chief executive Neil Helm, the arrangement will speed up the process of transferring pensions from the UK by as much as nine weeks. However, the arrangement comes at the same time as planners in the UK are suggesting that the British Government intends changing its attitude to pension schemes in a number of countries after some schemes in Singapore lost their so-called Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) status.
Commenting on the new arrangements, Macquarie Adviser Services head of product and technology Tony Graham said the efficiencies offered by OzForex was a significant value-add for advisers who were looking to transfer their clients’ UK pensions to Australia.
He said Macquarie Adviser Services had received QROPS recognition in May 2007, and this allowed it to receive funds when an individual wished to transfer a UK pension fund into an Australian superannuation fund.
Graham said that many advisers also had clients who had emigrated from the UK to Australia and who wanted to take advantage of Australia’s more favourable superannuation legislation by transferring their pensions here.
Recommended for you
Insignia Financial has granted CC Capital access to select company information in the hope of securing an improved offer from the private equity firm.
Recruitment agency Robert Walters has revealed the expected salary ranges for Australian financial advisers in 2025, with one particular state seeing a decline.
As global PE firms scope out the Australian wealth management industry, Finura predicts which other local names may potentially receive a takeover offer this year.
The Sydney-based advisory group has welcomed a new partner to its ranks, who previously led advice licensee businesses at Insignia Financial and MLC/NAB.