hTTi

1) one cannot rely on a stable annuity/ the pension funds remains subject to value fluctuations 2) I had understood that at a certain age (75 years?) it is obligatory to take out an annuity, ie the problem I describe in this threat is only postponed, not resolved. 1) is true and either an advantage...

The provider won't sell an annuity. I get that, they're not licensed to sell financial products in the EU. You could look at a QROPS to Germany but then you'll have more German pension, rather than UK pension with UK personal allowance etc applying. If you can find a German provider that wants to ta...

Interest rates are so high reducing the value a lot compared to 3 years earlier. Interest rates are high compared to the weird post 2008 to COVID period but normal compared to all the rest of history... They could just as easily go up as down (as could property values). Take your time family things...

For trikes you might consider Jorvik, they have a German affiliate branch and are specifically aimed at the elderly market. Much more expensive than a drop ship online import though perhaps you get what you pay for?

The EU directive must be transposed into national law - the law in question is Freizügigkeitsgesetz/EU. Which is also helpfully officially translated into English (German version takes priority in case of error) https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_freiz_gg_eu/englisch_freiz_gg_eu.html#p0036...

That's just guidance the law is https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02004L0038-20110616 From a very quick look: They must be your dependent - Article 2(2)(d) That must be evidenced in documents - Article 10(2)(d) There are additional conditions especially if you are not a wor...

Hmm is my new year's trip with the 9 year old from Paris to Leipzig in jeopardy? I think leave early in the day to allow for missed connections...

There's some fussy rules ("HOTNAT") if there are delays and you want to use an ICE ticket on a TGV/Thalys or vice-versa on the next train, you can do it from France or Belgium with a stamp from station staff but from Germany you can only do it at Köln. At Aachen you're stuffed!

Cheap train tickets (Sparpreise) for the Xmas period went on sale today. Booked to see them in-laws...

ICE is included in interrail. Freccorossa, TGV etc also included but you have to get a compulsory reservation (even Eurostar but the reservation fee is €30!). The real advantage is you can change your travel plans. Yes, you are limited to the one outward and one inward leg. To stop it being used as ...

Are you planning on going away again any time soon? As that €222 ticket isn't far off the cost of a 4 day in one month (€283) or 5 day in two months interrail pass (one outward and one inward home country journey allowed, not necessarily in that order).

Does the UK pension allow drawdown? Just bring over a bit each year as you need it.

Essentially that's what the banks did in the Cum-Ex scandal.

Lol @ 2 - proper cheeky ask!

This summer we took three trips and renting a car with the insurance payments etc was super expensive. Yeah the car hire companies lure you in with a cheap offer then when you turn up to the shop add fees for a second driver, for GPS, for extra insurance, for car seats... The insurances you can get...

I'm so glad your situation was sorted and thanks for the editor pointing out that the person I referred to is no longer in business. Time moves on....

There was a person called starshollow on the old toytown and if you Google "starshollow toytown" their website comes up. I haven't used them professionally but did read their posts a fair bit.

Some slight painful steps to an agreement which looks like it'll be ok. Practical question. The family are saying an agreement should be with signed with a notarialische Beglaubigung. Our lawyer says that's not strictly necessary as there's no land. If we're able to get them to sign a simple contrac...

[..] it was just my standpoint. Nice to know that you have that standpoint. Explicitly voicing that standpoint is considered a criminal act in Germany, as far as I know. Was the standpoint that, the expression must be legally permissible, or was it that, the expression is correct? But anyway, diffe...

Hope the hangover is ok!