Offshore Investment & Savings, Property Abroad, Living Abroad & Health Insurance News & Advice For Expatriate Professionals

Why do Shelter Offshore Readers Hate the Isle of Man?

Friday, July 03, 2009 at 10:43 am

Why do Shelter Offshore Readers Hate the Isle of Man?Since publishing an article this week about saving offshore in the Isle of Man we have been inundated with complaints by our readers who point out the scandals and negative headlines that have dogged the jurisdiction over the past twelve months or so.

But why do Shelter Offshore readers hate the Isle of Man so much?  Are so many of them victims of the collapse of Kaupthing, Singer & Friedlander or are they victims of the misinformation that has been spread about the island ever since?

We decided we needed to set the record straight on the Isle of Man’s behalf.  We don’t have a preference over offshore jurisdictions, but we do feel that the negative publicity the island has been suffering is actually unfair.  Yes, Kaupthing, Singer & Friedlander collapsed and resultant concerns have not been handled swiftly, efficiently or comprehensively enough for some victims…however, that is only one part of the story.

Switzerland a Top European Tax Haven

Switzerland a Top European Tax Haven If you wanted to know where the super wealthy like to hide away from increasing taxes in countries like the UK, a new survey of the so called ‘mobile wealthy’ – i.e., those who can relocate overseas and not have their working lives affected by the move – prefer Switzerland above all other offshore tax havens.

The survey, which is a brand new one launched by Scorpio Partnership, strategic advisors to the wealth management industry, spoke to high net worth individuals and their advisers in 11 nations internationally to determine which country stands out as a top tax haven.

Switzerland came out on top and proved itself to be almost the perfect jurisdiction for everyone, as it practically all things to all men (and women)!

IVF Treatment Abroad – Risks Versus Potential Rewards

Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 2:55 pm

IVF Treatment Abroad - Risks Versus Potential RewardsIn the news today it has been reported that increasing numbers of British women are travelling abroad to seek IVF treatment privately.  These women are finding it hard to gain access to treatment in the UK for a number of reasons, and because having a child is so many women’s absolute desire, we’re not at all surprised to read of the increase in numbers – particularly as accessing private IVF treatment in the UK is simply so expensive.

However, there are risks involved with seeking treatment abroad – as well as the obvious potential rewards - and so in this guide to seeking IVF treatment overseas, we’ll examine both sides of the coin for anyone looking for an unbiased and open discussion to help them decide whether, for the sake of their health, their future and their choices, they should go overseas for fertility treatment or not.

If you’re wondering about your options, there is such a wealth of information on the internet, but a great deal of it is weighted in favour of overseas treatment because it is written by international clinics.  In this report we will remain as unbiased as we possibly can be…

Mapping Your Path to Financial Success Abroad

Mapping Your Path to Financial Success AbroadIf you’re planning a new life abroad I’m sure you know where you’re going!  You’ll have your destination all mapped out, you may even have a job you’re going to, perhaps you’ve even purchased the house you’ll be living in?  All of this planning is essential for the move overseas to be a smooth one…but what about mapping out your path to financial success once you move abroad?

Are you thinking of leaving your savings ticking over as before, perhaps you haven’t given your pension a second thought?  And what about your mortgage back in the UK, how will you still afford to pay that when you’re earning in a different currency?  Then there are the questions about your life insurance and your health insurance.  Have you taken all of these into consideration when planning your relocation overseas?

Few people take the time to get their financial affairs fully in order before they move abroad – because there is just so much more to get organised, and finances can often wait.  As long as you have the money to make the move and you have an income to support you once you’re living overseas, that’s the main thing in terms of initial financial planning.  However, there is so much more to successful expatriate wealth – and in this report we’ll map out the essential considerations for you.  Follow our lead and you’ll discover your own path to financial success abroad.

Why Expats Really Have No Excuse When it Comes to Pension Saving

Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 11:02 am

Why Expats Really Have No Excuse When it Comes to Pension SavingIf you don’t save for your pension you are the only one who will be damaged by your lack of financial commitment.  You are the one who will suffer financially, you are the one who will have to work on way beyond state retirement age, you’re the one who will miss out on the golden years.

And you know what, expats have even less of an excuse when it comes to pension saving and investing than their peers back onshore – and that’s because they have so much more choice of saving and investment vehicle to use to save towards retirement.

In this report we’ll look at why you, as an expatriate, really should be saving towards retirement, and how it is actually so much easier for you now that you’re living abroad and have so many more pension options available to you…

Offshore Savings in Isle of Man

Offshore Savings in Isle of ManThe Isle of Man is one of Great Britain’s offshore jurisdictions, and it has an exceptionally good reputation directly as a result of the supervision regime in place on the island governing the financial institutions that operate therein, and because of the investor protection scheme in place.

Many of the most reputable financial advisories recommend funds and savings based products based in the Isle of Man to their clients, as part of a balanced portfolio.  This is because of the jurisdiction’s reputation on the one hand, and because of the wealth of offshore savings and investments available in the Isle of Man on the other.

If you’ve been recommended the jurisdiction or you’re wondering about the island’s offerings, in this report we examine why the Isle of Man is so well respected, and what kinds of offshore savings, funds and investment account solutions you can find therein.

Retirement in UK, OK or Not OK?

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 12:26 pm

Retirement in UK, OK or Not OK?With the news out today that the British economy shrank at its fastest rate in fifty years during the first quarter of this year, and the continuing feeling of economic gloom that pervades in the UK, should you consider retirement in the UK?  Would that be ok or not ok for you do you think?

Perhaps you’re a long way off retirement and you feel that by the time you reach 55, 60, 65 or even perhaps 70, the British economy will surely have rebounded.  Well, when exactly are you planning to retire?  Because according to the credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s, the British public sector debt could yet quadruple and reach levels only last experienced during the Second World War.

This will potentially happen over the next forty years – so if you’re planning on retiring at any point during that period, is UK really likely to be the best place for you?  In this report we examine the options and potential realities you will face whether you decide on retiring in the UK or elsewhere.

Expat Dubai! Practical Tips for Living in Dubai

Monday, June 29, 2009 at 2:41 pm

Expat Dubai! Practical Tips for Living in Dubai We have an entire section dedicated to living in Dubai, and within it we have a plethora of articles about different elements of expatriate life in the emirate – from coping with Ramadan and culture shock, to getting a visa or even a license to buy alcohol – but if you want a quick, no nonsense overview to life in the emirate, this article is for you.

Expat Dubai: we’re going to give you the practical tips you need for living in the emirate.  You can scan the list to get the facts and tips you need at your fingertips.

If you’re looking for specific advice, information or tips about living in Dubai, this guide is for you.  And if you then want to read more in depth information about the emirate and how expatriates settle into life there, you can browse our detailed “living in Dubai” section.

Expatriate Healthcare: Get Your Checklist

Expatriate Healthcare: Get Your ChecklistWe always talk about how important it is to get your health insurance in place before you move abroad ideally, and to at least ensure you get medical cover established once you have moved abroad.  This is simply because few countries in the world have a free system like the NHS, and even where medical care is available free to certain groups of expatriates such as British retirees, the care available is always limited and supplementary charges will often be incurred by anyone if they seek treatment.

You need to understand the level of healthcare you will be entitled to or have access to in your new nation of residence, and then you need to begin examining which expatriate healthcare and insurance providers will be able to give you the type of policy you need to cover the protection of your health and that of your family.

In this article we look at expatriate healthcare and help you get your checklist in order so that you can examine and judge each and every single health insurance provider on the same criteria to see which one offers you the best level of cover and the best value for money.

Boring As It Is, Why You Need a Financial Review

Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 10:57 am

If you follow the guidelines that we offer up on this website and you’re an expatriate, chances are you have your financial affairs nicely in order.  You’ve worked to pay back any substantial debts, you have an emergency fund close at hand, all of your essential insurances are in place, and finally, you are growing a healthy financial portfolio that is well diversified and perfectly aligned to suit you and your requirements.

Or at least the above is the plan you’re slowly but surely working towards…

Well then, having taken the time to align your expat financial affairs correctly, why do you suddenly need to think about reviewing your finances?  In this report we will show you why, as boring as it is, you need to have a regular financial review.  And we’ll try not to bore you any more, we’ll just present you with the pertinent facts and information that you need!

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