Financial Planning for Expatriates
After years of hard work and saving, it’s finally time to travel and to enjoy our retirement years without worrying about our finances. And if we have good financial planning in place beforehand, the dream of retiring abroad can in fact, become a reality.
Some may have worked their whole lives in one country and want a change of pace when they retire; others may have been itchy-feet traveler’s and are finally ready to call one country home. Whatever the reason for retiring abroad, getting your finances in order before boarding the plane is certainly one of the most important things to consider before securing a comfortable and adequately funded retirement.
So, where do you start when it comes to planning for an overseas retirement?
Firstly, it is never too early to start planning for retirement. But before you do, it’s important to thoroughly research or obtain professional guidance beyond the practical matters of finding a place to live or learning how to navigate the landscape. You will not only need advice on how to navigate social security and pensions in your home country, but your destination country also.
Some of the best places to retire, such as Portugal, have a low cost of living, not to mention low taxation rates. Therefore, it’s good to know what tax treaties are in place to avoid double taxation when dipping into retirement funds.
Wills
A will is an important part of anybody’s family financial planning. Whatever your age; if you own property and have young children, it is strongly advisable to write a will. For this reason, we partnered with Richard Reed Solicitors to assist our clients. Richard Reed are a long-standing reputable law firm regulated in England & Wales. If you would like more information, please contact us using the online form below.
Pensions
If you plan to retire abroad, especially if you have a flexible pension scheme, it’s important to have your finances in place in order to live comfortably. Being able to access your pension with ease is crucial. If you are planning to transfer your pension overseas, you may wish to look into the most cost-effective way by speaking with a financial adviser who specialises in pension transfers.
Thanks to the UK pension industry doing its spring cleaning, British nationals moving abroad can transfer their pensions to an overseas scheme that meets specific criteria set out by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). HMRC refers to this scheme as a QROPS. This scheme coupled well with recovery efforts in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, a time when governments the world over started to recognize the need for protecting the hard-earned investments of individuals.
Since the launch of QROPS in 2006 until the end of the 2017–2018 tax year, more than £10.7 billion was sent in approx. 123,000 transfers, at an average of £898 million per year. To qualify as a QROPS, a pension scheme must meet various requirements set out by British law. For example, funds in qualifying schemes must only be accessible beyond the age of 55, unless there are special circumstances.
Not all overseas schemes meet the criteria set by the British government, however. On its website, HMRC publishes an updated list of qualifying countries and specific schemes that have QROPS status. And they update this list twice each month. Use caution and be wary of fake schemes advertised online. Always seek expert financial guidance, and never act based on unsolicited contact – no matter how attractive it may seem.
If you are EU based and are seeking advice regarding your own private pension, please get in touch by sending an email to info@pccwealth.com. A member of our administrative team will get back to you and book a preferred appointment time that works within your schedule. This appointment is a confidential conversation between you and us – which will help us better understand your situation. The meeting is complimentary – and you have no obligation to go further after the meeting is over. Alternatively, you can complete our online contact form (below).
The expatriates we speak with often find that their wealth is suspended between two cultures. A financial expert advises you about how to deal with all your financial planning concerns, such as Wills, estate planning, inheritance tax, retirement planning, and pensions.
Do not leave things to chance. It can be a difficult process without the right expertise, and you could be missing out on some prime investment years if you wait.
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