How do I transfer my pension to Australia?
Whether you are an Australian resident or someone who plans to live and/ or retire in Australia, it is essential to put a plan in place for your retirement finances and make sure that your money is located where you want it to be and where it makes most financial and tax sense for your money. One of the top questions we get at Hoxton Capital Management is, “How do I transfer my pension to Australia”. We answer that question below.
Contents
Which pension funds can be transferred?
- Defined Contribution (DC) Pension Schemes, including company and personal pension and drawdown arrangements
- Private Sector Defined Benefit (DB) Schemes
- Funded Public Sector DB Schemes
What pension funds can’t be transferred?
- The UK State Pension
- Annuities purchased with a life insurance company
- Company Pension already in payment
- Unfunded Public Sector-Defined Benefit Schemes
Member Payment Provision Period (MPPP)
Certain rules apply during the first 10 complete UK tax years after you have moved abroad and the first 5 years after you make a pension transfer from the UK to Australia (which could finish later).
This period is known as the Member Payment Provision Period (MPPP). If payments are made to a member within the MPPP, from the QROPS, outside the scope of what is permitted from a QROPS, an unauthorised payment charge would apply to the payment.
What is a QROPS SMSF?
A QROPS SMSF is an Australian Self-Managed Superannuation Fund that has met the designation of QROPS as prescribed by HMRC. As mentioned, a UK Pension transfer cannot occur to any overseas scheme that is not a QROPS. To qualify as a QROPS in the post-6th April 2015 legislative environment, an SMSF requires a specially drafted trust deed.
What is the Age 55 rule?
The requirement for a specially drafted trust deed for Australian superannuation funds was a direct result in 2015 of HMRC removing all Australian QROPS from the approved list. HMRC took this action as they were concerned that Australian Superannuation schemes could pay certain benefits to members before age 55 – thus breaking the ‘Pension Age Test’ condition of being a QROPS.
Regardless, it is important that individuals who are not yet 55 still take advice regarding their UK pensions. There are important options and opportunities that can be capitalised on regarding the UK pension fund in the interim. Subsequently, some Self-Managed Superannuation Funds changed their trust deeds to allow only memberships to individuals who have already attained age 55.
Also, a specialist retail fund known as the Australian Expatriate Superannuation Fund came into existence. These schemes would not breach the ‘Pension Age Test’ and meet the conditions to become QROPS. UK pension funds, therefore, cannot be transferred to Australia until the member reaches the age of 55.
What is the Non-Concessional Contribution Cap?
The Non-Concessional Contribution cap (NCCC) is the limit an Australian resident can contribute into an
Australian superannuation scheme from their post-tax earnings. Included in this cap may be transferred in from non-Australian schemes – such as UK pensions. From 1st July 2021, this cap is A$110,000 per Australian tax year. If a member is under age 67, it may be possible to ‘bring forward’ two years ‘worth of non-concessional contributions and transfer $330,000 in one tax year from the UK. The member would have to wait two complete Australian tax years before they can make a further transfer.
What are your options now?
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- Direct UK Pension Transfer – if you meet the requirements, you should be able to complete a direct transfer
- Indirect UK Pension Transfer – the best option for those who can’t complete a direct transfer is to use an interim vehicle such as a SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension). This may provide additional benefits, such as allowing the pension to hold Australian dollar investments.
- Do nothing, remain status quo
Why Transfer your UK pension to Australia?
- Tax effectiveness in retirement – In Australia, from age 60, pension income stream and lump sums drawn from superannuation will usually be entirely free of tax. Pensions drawn from UK schemes can be taxed at your Australian marginal tax rate (MTR), which can be up to 47%
- Greater control over retirement benefits – You may have greater control and management of your retirement benefits by consolidating and ultimately transferring them to Australia, where you intend to retire.
- Transparency of fees – Australian superannuation funds, in general, are required by law to be very transparent vehicles concerning fees.
- Flexibility of income – Depending upon your age and needs, you can choose between paying out 0%and 100% of your benefits each year.
- Manage locally – Many clients prefer to manage their assets locally.
- Elimination of long-term currency risk – Transferring your pension can eliminate the currency risk involved if you continue to take your benefits at retirement from the UK. If your pension is paid from the UK, the amount you receive will vary according to the value of £1 to AUD$1. Transferring can allow peace of mind because you won’t have to worry about the source or regularity of your retirement income.
- Avoidance of additional telegraphic transfer fees – If regular income in retirement is drawn directly from a UK scheme, you may incur ongoing costs in respect of each transfer.
- Succession planning – UK pensions can be taxed upon death or cease altogether on your dependent’s death. The Australian system can provide more flexibility and advantages to your children and/or other beneficiaries.
UK Pension Transfer Webinar
Watch here to see what our Australian in-house pension expert, Emma Norton Selzer, had to say in this latest webinar with all her client’s top questions.
We always recommend that you seek professional advice when transferring your UK pension to anywhere in the world. We have a team of senior wealth advisers specialists in Australian UK pension transfers. Get in touch to speak to them today