A panel of expat experts answer your financial questions

• Will I Be Forced to Enrol into Employer’s Pension Scheme?
• Permits and Visas to Enter Europe
• Place of Domicile is the Crucial Factor
  

Will I Be Forced to Enrol into Employer’s Pension Scheme?

I am returning to the UK to work and need to start some pension saving. But I have heard that I will be made to save for a pension through my new employer’s scheme.

Not quite. You will still be able to make contributions to a personal plan, and indeed will be given tax incentives to do so. But you are right in that there is a new era on the way of semi-compulsion in the UK to save for a pension through your employer’s scheme.

The new scheme, called auto-enrolment, requires all employers to automatically sign up employees into a pension scheme, starting this year. Small businesses have until 2015 to do this.

The new scheme means there could be significant changes in pension saving for millions of workers throughout the UK. There are five main areas for employees to consider under the new rules, according to pensions company Friends Life.

1. Where are you now?

The ins and outs of pension saving aren't always high on the agenda when you start a new job, so a good start is to find out what you've already got. Have you already joined a pension scheme? How much are you currently paying in? How much does your employer contribute?

If you're not currently saving anything towards retirement find out if your employer offers a scheme and whether you are eligible to join.

2. Check your eligibility

Under auto-enrolment your pension provision could change. Employers will have to automatically enrol all UK taxpayers, aged between 22 and the state pension age and earning over £7,475 into a pension scheme. Check if you are eligible. If you're not you may still be able to join the company scheme, and you may be entitled to an employer contribution.

What is paid in will depend on a number of factors, but it will make personal financial planning easier if you understand what you and your employer are likely to have to contribute. Remember that you may want to think about saving extra money on your own to ensure you have the income you want in retirement.

3. Where you and auto-enrolment begin

Different employers will begin auto-enrolment at different times. Legally, obligations begin from October 2012, starting with large employers. Finding out from your employer when they are expecting to start automatically enrolling people will help you prepare, and you may even be able to start looking at ways to save in the meantime.

4. Work out where your money goes

Your contribution into a pension scheme, coupled with contributions from your employer and tax relief from the government really can make a big difference to your pension savings. The amount enrolled employees are asked to contribute into a pension will increase gradually, starting at 1% and increasing up to a maximum contribution of up to 5% of earnings (after tax relief has been added) from 2017.

5. Be positive

The timing of these changes may not seem ideal given the economic climate. But putting off saving today could leave you reliant on the state pension, which may not be enough to provide the life you want in retirement. Positive action, even if just small sacrifices here and there, really could make all the difference down the line. Auto-enrolment is a good starting point for saving and getting into the habit now will make a big difference later.

Permits and Visas to Enter Europe

I’m trying to find work in the European Union, and would like more information on work permits and visas, etc.

The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, recently launched the 'EU Immigration Portal', a website with hands-on information for foreign nationals interested in moving to the EU. The site, ec.europa.eu/immigration, is also directed at migrants who are already here and would like to move from one member state to another. It provides specific information for each category of migrants about migration procedures in all 27 member states.

Commissioner Malmström said: "Many people who want to move to the European Union do not know what possibilities exist, how to apply for a resident permit or the risks related to irregular migration. And migrants who are already in the EU are not always aware of their rights. We need to provide solid, easily accessible information about these sometimes complicated procedures."

The EU Immigration Portal is a first point of entry for up-to-date, practical information on EU and national immigration procedures and policies. Workers, researchers, students and those looking to join their families already in the EU can find information adapted to their needs, about the member state they are interested in moving to. The portal also links directly to the websites of national authorities dealing with immigration. Users can also find straightforward information about their rights and whether they need a visa to come to the EU.

The EU Immigration Portal explains how to enter EU borders legally and describes the risks related to irregular migration, such as trafficking and smuggling. Migrants and potential migrants will also find a vast contact directory of governmental and non-governmental organisations which can help them.