northcoombes

My husband and I (both dual Australian/British Citizens) lived and worked in the UK for 14 years. We moved back to Oz in 2013 and transferred my husband's pension into a QROPS scheme in Oz (this scheme is no longer on the approved QROPS scheme). We would like to access some of the money (husband is 64 this year) and the Australian Super fund advisor has said this is no problem as my husband is over 60. We assume they have to notify HMRC as part of the five year rule conditions. Does anyone know what the tax rate would be on withdrawals in these circumstances? We don't want to end up with a 55% tax bill as some sites suggest might happen. Many thanks Mimi

Thank you everyone - some good advice. Think we will take the chance and be prepared to pay for the extra storage - $800 dollars will get me two extra weeks breathing space.

Hi all We had our John Mason shipping container leave yesterday (15th October) and have now seen on the paperwork they sent through aftterwards that the ETA in Brisbane is 19th November! When we were getting quotes, all the companies said that it would be between 8-12 weeks to get to Oz and we had planned to travel around Europe for two months. Obviously we can't do that if we need to be in Oz in just over a month (I believe we need to be there for the processing of our goods?). We'lll be devastated to cancel all our plans we have now made - especially as we have had a really bad year and were looking forward to our holiday so much Rang up JM and they said the container has already gone to the port so we can't have it put on a later sailing date. Did anyone else have such a short shipping time - and is storage in Brisbane our only option then? (hubby not keen because of the cost and additional move from storage to wherever we rent). Thanks Mimi

Thank you. Went with IYM because the Mould and Mildew cover seemed more comprehensive than Letton Percival.

Yes I can see the risk would be small - especially if packed well. I suppose I was just trying to work out the logic of the insurers in saying that if my £1000 TV gets broken I will be paid in full to replace it, but if my £1000 mattress or sofa gets mildew then I will only be given £250. Kind Regards Mimi

Thank you for your fast response. So in the the unlikely event that a full container had mildew/ mould problems on arrival, the owners would only get 1/4 of their insured value to spend on replacing all their items? Kind regards Mimi

Hi all First post for me:smile: ! I have looked at Letton Percival and Insure Your Move after taking the excellent advice on these forums. LP quote is £592 (but has excess of £250), IYM quote is £817.50 Both include Electrical derangement (LP for items less than five years old, IYM for items less than 6 years old) and pairs and sets cover. Regarding Mould and Mildew LP clause says: "Mould and Mildew is also covered as a result of water ingress into the shipping container" - so does that mean mildew caused by anything else, e.g. condensation would not be covered? IYM clause on Mould and Mildew says: Excluded: Loss or damage caused by atmospheric or climatic conditions, vermin or moths. This exclusion does not apply for mould and or mildew however the Insured is not covered for (i) more than 25% of the total insured value for mould and or mildew or (ii) mould and or mildew occurring during storage (beyond the free 60 day period). So does that mean I would only be paid 25% of the value of the mouldy item? I don't anticipate any problems as we are using John Mason but if I am paying for insurance I want to make sure I am comparing like for like. Many thanks Mimi