Malta is a full EU Member State with a sound financial services framework and strong corporate governance. Pension schemes are individually regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. Malta adopted UK pension rules in 2016 and can offer flexi-access retirement benefits from age 55 (increasing to age 57 from 6th April 2028). Malta applies a withholding tax of 35% to pension income; however, in many situations this does not apply due to the 70+ DTAs which exist with many jurisdictions being afforded total or shared taxing rights. The Scheme is established under a Trust Deed.