When the ‘Powers That Be’ refuse to acknowledge the truth
By Tony Chamberlain, director of GBPensions The Post Office Horizon IT scandal has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British history. Hundreds of sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses were wrongly prosecuted for false accounting and theft. [...]
EURO 2024 – is this the year that football ‘comes home’?
Since its inception in 1960, the UEFA European Football Championship has been a four-yearly highlight of the northern hemisphere game. And every four years since the late '90s (as they do also for the UEFA World Cup), England [...]
What happens with your UK state pension if you live in NZ?
Although GBPensions only deals with personal and company pension schemes, people often ask us about UK and NZ state pensions. Unfortunately, we also hear less-than-positive stories from those trying to claim them. As GBPensions director Tony Chamberlain observes, [...]
How to spot and avoid financial scams
Financial scams seem to be everywhere. In this blog, we share a few tips from reputable sources, including the Financial Markets Authority and the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, about how to spot potential fraudsters. NetSafe's The State of Scams [...]
What is a ‘pot for life’, and could it make overseas pension transfers easier?
British Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's 2023 Autumn Statement included a couple of important announcements that could impact UK to New Zealand pension transfers. One of these was the abolition of the Lifetime Allowance (LTA). The other was a consultation [...]
What happened with the Kiwi Wealth Super Scheme?
The Kiwi Wealth Super Scheme ceased to be a QROPS at the end of 2023. It closed to new members and gave its investors only short notice of its intention to wind up on the last day of [...]
UK Government abolishes the Lifetime Allowance
Having to factor in the Lifetime Allowance (LTA) and its tax implications was arguably a 'nice problem to have'. Its repeal from 6 April 2024 will be welcome news for some investors – but what does it mean [...]
39,500 nights of safety for more than 400 pets – why GBPensions supports Pet Refuge
Since opening its shelter doors in August 2021, Pet Refuge has provided a safe haven for more than 400 pets while their families escape abuse and find a safe home. GBPensions is proud to support the work of [...]
‘Why is this taking so long?’
GBPensions director Tony Chamberlain reflects on 2023, and the most-asked question about UK to NZ pension transfers. As the year draws to a close, I've had a sobering thought: 2024 will be my 37th year working in the [...]
What is the Overseas Transfer Charge?
How HMRC's OTC could impact British expats who transferred their UK pension to a New Zealand QROPS after 9 March 2017 If the last few years have taught us anything, it's that life can take some unexpected twists [...]
Has Money Helper been a ‘money hinderer’ for British pensioners abroad?
UK financial consultants contacted The Mail on Sunday expressing their concerns about 'misleading' tax advice from the UK Government, which could result in British expats potentially losing 'a huge chunk of their pension'. According to The Mail on [...]
Seven things you may not know about the men’s Rugby World Cup
As we move into the quarter-finals of RWC 2023, here are a few fascinating facts with which to entertain and educate your rugby-loving (and non-rugby-loving) friends. England's Jonny Wilkinson is the tournament's top points scorer of [...]