All posts by John Markey

Share Certificate Dematerialisation – January 2023

Dematerialisation of share certificates since January 1st 2023:
Reminder that all new issued securities of quoted EU companies are now required to be held in electronic format since Jan 1st 2023. This means that no new physical share certificates will be issued going forward within the EU. All existing transferrable share certificates and securities in the EU must be transferred to electronic format by January 2025. If you hold current paper share certificates you can contact Claris Advisors or a Stockbroker for advice in onboarding shares & securities to electronic format.

This will harmonise settlement across the EU and is the benchmark for efficiency in global capital markets. It will also greatly benefit the consumer / individual shareholder in terms of efficient and timely payment of dividends, processing of corporate actions (corporate mergers/ acquisitions, rights issues etc.) and estate planning / probate.

Claris Advisors can assist you with this financial planning and we have arrangements and agencies in place with several stockbrokers and nominee providers.

Brexit & UK Pension Transfers with Claris Advisors

Current UK pension regulations allow for former residents of the UK to transfer their UK pension benefits to an approved overseas pension scheme, known as a QROPS-Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme. This transfer is 100% free of UK tax as long as certain conditions are met. Typically, former UK residents now living in an  EU / EEA country and other specified countries have the option of transferring their private and company pensions to an approved pension provider in their new country of residence, free of UK tax.

Claris Advisors has appointments with several approved QROPS pension providers in Ireland to facilitate the transfer process for individuals wishing to transfer their UK pensions to an approved Irish pension scheme. The transfer process is straight-forward but can be lengthy due to extensive suitability and due diligence checks. However, we charge no fee to assess the suitability or to proceed with the transfer of your pension.

It should be noted that these regulations may change in the future Post-Brexit and a future exit-tax levied on overseas pension transfers is possible.

Should you wish to discuss your UK pension transfer please contact John Markey, 353 1 559 8185 or email john@clarisadvisors.ie