Consulting Services
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Self-Administered Pension Schemes
Design, Administration and Trusteeship


Boal & Co (Pensions) Ltd, our pensions practice, specialises in the provision, administration and trusteeship of Isle of Man self-administered pension solutions for companies, partnerships and individuals.  For these clients, we are able to construct and administer bespoke pension arrangements, bringing to bear the full benefits of our independence and impartiality (we do not advise upon or sell local insured pension policies) and our relevant professional expertise. Boal & Co (Pensions) is registered as a professional schemes administrator with the Insurance & Pensions Authority (IPA). Boal & Co are a founding member of the Isle of Man Association of Pension Scheme Providers.

A brochure for Boal & Co's international pension services
is available for download in pdf format.


Boal & Co - registered with IPA as professional Schemes Administrator

A brochure for Boal & Co's range of pension services is available for
download in pdf format.


Boal & Co - registered with IPA as professional Schemes Administrator

Boal & Co (Pensions) Ltd is registered with the Isle of Man Government Insurance and Pensions Authority (IPA) as a professional Registered Schemes Administrator, effective 9th April 2003. Under section 36 of The Retirement Benefits Schemes Act 2000, pension scheme administrators must be registered by the IPA.

Scheme Administration

We provide a full range of administrative services to larger company pension schemes (200+ members) in the Isle of Man. Some of these schemes also include members based in Jersey and Guernsey, where we are able to advise on the corresponding benefit provisions.

Our range of clients includes schemes that are:
 
  • contracted-out
  • not contracted-out
  • money purchase (“defined contribution”)
  • final salary (“defined benefit”).
We provide a complete administrative solution, including:
 
  • calculation of monthly contributions
  • allocation of contributions to individual member accounts
  • preparation of annual benefit statements and future pension projections
  • preparation of unaudited scheme accounts
  • attendance at trustee meetings
  • ongoing advice on scheme development, including effect of future legislative changes.

SSAS (Small Self-Administered Schemes)

For Isle of Man residents with substantial UK pension funds (typically £200,000 plus), small self-administered pensions schemes can provide valuable taxation advantages and estate planning solutions. 

In the UK, annuities are generally unattractive, given poor annuity rates and the potential loss of substantial funds on early death.  In contrast for Isle of Man SSASs there is no requirement for purchase of an annuity, so funds can continue to be invested in equity and other real assets for long-term growth.  “A-day” (April 2006) has extended the range of retirement options to include “alternatively secured pensions”, but these have potential adverse UK Inheritance Tax (IHT) implications.

For Isle of Man SSASs there is no requirement for purchase of an annuity, so funds can continue to be invested in equity and other real assets for long-term growth.

The residual fund is available for passing down to the next generation on death and IoM pension scheme assets are not UK-status. 

An Isle of Man pension solution can also ensure that pensions eventually payable are subject only to (low) Isle of Man taxation, rather than be subject to irrecoverable higher UK taxation.

Fortunately, Isle of Man approved pension arrangements can be constructed to receive such UK benefits ahead of retirement. Subject to appropriate registration, it is possible to transfer pension benefits between UK and Isle of Man pension schemes. After A-day, it can also be possible (depending upon indiviudual circumstances) to transfer certain pensions even though they have commenced payment.

Boal & Co provide a complete range of Isle of Man SSAS services, including scheme establishment and documentation, application for approval, administration of transfers, actuarial advice and pensioneer trusteeship.

Scheme Establishment and Design

Small, medium and larger companies all have pension needs, whether it be the needs of the many (eg a scheme to provide pensions for 200 employees) or of the few (eg the different requirements of owner/directors).  Schemes can be devised to suit the different needs of different employers.

Often, a simple 'defined contribution' structure is the ideal solution, permitting different contribution levels according to each membership class.  Final salary schemes are a possible - albeit more complicated - alternative. 

Boal & Co have an excellent knowledge of the practice of Isle of Man companies in relation to pensions provision.We are expertly placed to advise Isle of Man employers on all aspects of pension scheme design and establishment.

International Schemes

For international companies, we are able to establish "superannuation funds" approved under the Isle of Man's international pensions legislation.  These schemes can be an efficient means of centralising pension arrangements for overseas staff.

The Isle of Man Government has undertaken a major pensions initiative and, through the Retirement Benefits Schemes Act 2000, has established a dedicated regulated retirement scheme framework for international pension schemes.  Such schemes come under the responsibility of the Isle of Man Insurance and Pensions Authority (IPA) which oversees also the Island’s successful insurance industry.

Boal & Co provide a complete range of services for international pension schemes, including Scheme establishment, design, documentation, taxation approval, trusteeship and all aspects of Scheme administration.

A pdf brochure is available for download.

SIPPs for self-employed individuals and partners

For higher earning individuals in non-pensionable employment, normal packaged pension products are restricted in choice.  In these situations, a self administered individual pension arrangement can prove very attractive, not least in terms of cost: quite simply, the normal %-based commissions (and associated charges) of insurance products are eliminated and the savings - particularly for higher earners - are very substantial. 

For partnerships, we are able to design a group self-administered pension scheme and offer even more potential cost savings.

Independent Trustee

Under the IOM Retirement Benefits Schemes Act 2000, all schemes are required to have at least one trustee who is "independent" of the employer. Our experience of all aspects of pension schemes – design, administration, investment, actuarial – means that we are expertly positioned to advise trustees of Isle of Man pension schemes and to act as independent trustee.