US Financial Planning for Expats and International Families
US-connected financial planning can become complicated quickly.
You may be an American living abroad.
You may be a green card holder outside the United States.
You may be a foreign national living in the US with UK pensions or non-US investments.
You may be a former US resident who still holds a 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, brokerage account or US property.
The issue is rarely one thing in isolation.
US tax, retirement accounts, investments, reporting, estate planning, currency, citizenship, residence and the rules of another country can all interact.
The real question is not only:
What are the US rules?
It is:
How do the US rules affect my pensions, investments, retirement income, tax reporting, estate planning and life outside the United States?
This hub helps you find the right US-connected financial planning route.
US financial planning for expats
Living internationally can create financial planning questions that would rarely arise if all of your assets, income and future plans were in one country.
You may have:
- an old 401(k) from a previous US employer
- one or more Traditional or Roth IRAs
- US brokerage accounts
- employer shares or stock options
- Social Security entitlements
- pensions from another country
- property in the US or overseas
- investments affected by US tax or reporting rules
- family members with different citizenship or residence positions
- plans to retire somewhere other than the United States
The individual accounts matter, but the bigger question is how everything works together.
A retirement-account decision can affect tax.
An investment decision can create cross-border reporting issues.
Moving country can affect which custodians will continue to work with you.
Estate planning can become more complicated when beneficiaries, assets and family members are spread across jurisdictions.
The aim of this library is to help you find the right starting point before making those decisions.
Which US planning route fits you?
Financial Planning for Americans Abroad
A starting point for Americans managing pensions, investments, tax, currency and long-term financial planning while living overseas.
US Retirement Accounts for Expats
Understand the main planning issues around 401(k)s, IRAs, Roth IRAs and other US retirement accounts after moving overseas.
401(k) Planning for Expats
Explore what to review when you have an existing 401(k) and no longer live in the United States.
US and UK planning
For clients whose planning sits between the United States and the UK, including UK pensions, US retirement accounts, tax residence, estate planning and investments.
401(k) planning
What Happens to a 401(k) When You Move Abroad?
Understand the issues to review when you leave the United States with an existing 401(k).
Leave an Old 401(k) or Roll It Over to an IRA?
Compare the main considerations when deciding whether to retain an old employer plan or move it to an IRA.
Roll Over a 401(k) While Living Outside the US
Explore the practical and planning considerations around completing a 401(k) rollover after moving abroad.
Consolidating Multiple Old 401(k) Plans
Understand when bringing several former-employer plans together may simplify your retirement planning.
401(k) Loans and Hardship Withdrawals for Expats
Review the issues to consider before borrowing from or taking a hardship withdrawal from a 401(k) while living internationally.
Employer Stock Inside a 401(k): NUA Cross-Border Planning
Explore the additional planning considerations when employer shares are held within a 401(k).
IRA and Roth IRA planning
What Happens to an IRA When You Move Abroad?
Understand the issues that may arise when you keep a Traditional or Roth IRA after leaving the United States.
Traditional IRA vs Roth IRA for Americans Abroad
Compare the role of Traditional and Roth IRAs within an international retirement plan.
Roth Conversion While Living Abroad
Understand the planning considerations involved in converting Traditional IRA assets to a Roth IRA while overseas.
Can Americans Abroad Contribute to a 401(k) or IRA?
Explore how living and working overseas can affect retirement-account contribution planning.
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and IRA Contributions
Understand why foreign-earned income planning can matter when considering IRA contributions.
Required Minimum Distributions When Living Abroad
A guide to planning for required distributions from US retirement accounts while living overseas.
Withdrawing from a 401(k) or IRA While Living Abroad
Understand the tax, withholding, currency and cash-flow issues to consider before taking retirement-account withdrawals overseas.
Retirement Account Withholding for Former US Residents and Non-US Citizens
Review US withholding considerations when accessing retirement accounts after leaving the United States.
Other US retirement plans
403(b) Plans for Expats
Planning considerations for people living abroad with an existing 403(b).
457(b) Plans for Expats
Understand how a 457(b) may fit into retirement planning after moving internationally.
Thrift Savings Plan for Americans Abroad
A guide to reviewing TSP benefits as part of an international retirement plan.
Defined Benefit Pensions for Expats and Former US Residents
Understand the planning considerations around US defined benefit pension entitlements when living abroad.
SEP IRA Planning for Self-Employed Americans Abroad
Explore how SEP IRAs fit into retirement planning for self-employed Americans living internationally.
SIMPLE IRA Planning for Expats
Understand the issues to consider if you hold a SIMPLE IRA and move outside the United States.
Solo 401(k) Planning for Self-Employed Americans Abroad
Retirement planning considerations for internationally based business owners with Solo 401(k) arrangements.
Annuities Inside Retirement Accounts for Expats
Understand how annuity holdings inside US retirement accounts may affect international retirement planning.
Investments, accounts and US reporting
Brokerage Accounts When You Move Abroad
Understand what may happen to existing US brokerage accounts after your country of residence changes.
Custodian Restrictions for Expats and Foreign Addresses
Explore why some US investment providers restrict accounts held by clients living overseas.
PFICs Explained for Americans Abroad
Understand why certain non-US investments can create additional US tax and reporting considerations.
Foreign Mutual Funds and ETFs for US Taxpayers Abroad
Review the issues Americans should consider before investing in non-US collective investment funds.
FBAR and FATCA for International Investors
A guide to understanding how foreign financial accounts can interact with US reporting obligations.
Foreign Pensions and US Reporting for Americans Abroad
Explore the financial-planning and reporting issues that can arise when Americans accumulate pension benefits outside the US.
Offshore Investment Bonds and Foreign Life Insurance for US Taxpayers
Understand why overseas investment and insurance structures require particular care for US-connected investors.
RSUs and Stock Options for Americans Working Abroad
Planning considerations for internationally mobile employees receiving employer shares, RSUs or stock options.
Multi-Currency Retirement Planning for Global Americans
Understand how the currencies in which you earn, invest and eventually spend can affect long-term retirement planning.
Americans living in the UAE
Financial Planning for Americans in the UAE
A starting point for coordinating US retirement accounts, investments, tax, estate planning and long-term goals while living in the UAE.
Retirement Planning for Americans in the UAE
Understand how US assets, retirement accounts and future retirement plans can fit together while based in the UAE.
US Retirement Accounts for Expats in the UAE
A UAE-specific guide to managing 401(k)s, IRAs and other US retirement accounts.
Cross-Border Financial Planning: US and UAE
Explore how US and UAE financial planning issues interact for internationally mobile individuals and families.
Estate Planning for Americans in the UAE
Review estate, beneficiary and cross-border succession considerations for Americans living in the UAE.
What Happens to a 401(k) When You Move to the UAE?
A focused guide for people relocating from the United States with an existing 401(k).
Retirement Accounts for Americans Living in Dubai
Understand the retirement-account issues that may arise for Americans based in Dubai.
Roth IRA Planning for Americans Living in the UAE
Explore Roth IRA planning within the wider financial position of an American living in the UAE.
Withdrawing from a 401(k) or IRA While Living in the UAE
Review the planning considerations before drawing money from US retirement accounts while resident in the UAE.
Americans living elsewhere in the GCC
Financial Planning for Americans in Saudi Arabia
Financial planning for Americans managing US assets and long-term goals while living in Saudi Arabia.
Retirement Planning for Americans in Saudi Arabia
Retirement planning considerations for Americans living and working in Saudi Arabia.
Retirement Accounts for Expats in Saudi Arabia
A guide to managing US retirement accounts while resident in Saudi Arabia.
Financial Planning for Americans in Qatar
Cross-border financial planning for Americans living and working in Qatar.
Retirement Planning for Americans in Qatar
Understand the retirement-planning issues for Americans based in Qatar.
Retirement Accounts for Expats in Qatar
Planning considerations for US retirement accounts while living in Qatar.
Financial Planning for Americans in Bahrain
Financial planning for Americans managing US and international assets while living in Bahrain.
Retirement Accounts for Expats in Bahrain
Understand how US retirement accounts can fit into a wider financial plan while based in Bahrain.
Financial Planning for Americans in Kuwait
Cross-border financial planning for Americans living and working in Kuwait.
Retirement Accounts for Expats in Kuwait
US retirement-account planning considerations for people based in Kuwait.
Financial Planning for Americans in Oman
Financial planning for Americans with US assets while living and working in Oman.
Retirement Planning for Americans in Oman
Retirement planning considerations for Americans living in Oman.
Retirement Accounts for Expats in Oman
Understand how existing US retirement accounts may fit into your financial plan while resident in Oman.
US and UK financial planning
Financial Planning for Americans in the UK
A starting point for Americans coordinating pensions, investments, tax and retirement planning while living in the United Kingdom.
UK Pensions for US Residents
Understand the planning issues for US residents who retain pension benefits in the United Kingdom.
Retirement Accounts for UK Residents
A guide to managing US retirement accounts after becoming resident in the United Kingdom.
Returning to the UK with a 401(k), IRA or Roth IRA
Planning considerations for people returning to Britain with US retirement assets.
What Happens to a 401(k) When You Move to the UK?
Understand the issues to consider when relocating to Britain with an existing 401(k).
Roth IRA Treatment in the UK
Explore the cross-border considerations around retaining and using a Roth IRA while living in Britain.
British Expats Living in the US: UK Pension Planning
A guide for British people who move to the United States while retaining UK pension benefits.
How Are UK Pensions Taxed in the US?
Understand the issues that need to be considered when receiving or planning around UK pension benefits as a US resident.
SIPP vs Leaving a UK Pension in Place for US Residents
Compare the planning considerations when reviewing an existing UK pension from the United States.
Can a US Resident Transfer or Consolidate a UK Pension?
Explore the practical and cross-border issues that should be reviewed before changing a UK pension as a US resident.
Investing as a US Citizen in the UK: PFICs and UK Reporting Funds
Understand why choosing investments can become more complicated when both US and UK rules need to be considered.
UK ISAs and Investments for US Residents
Review the cross-border considerations around retaining UK ISAs and investment accounts after becoming US resident.
Social Security and the UK State Pension
Understand how US Social Security and UK State Pension entitlements can fit into the same retirement plan.
Moving from the US to the UK: Financial Planning Checklist
A practical guide to the financial areas to review before relocating from the United States to Britain.
Moving from the UK to the US: Financial Planning Checklist
A practical guide for people preparing to relocate from Britain to the United States.
Financial planning for Americans in Europe
Financial Planning for Americans in Switzerland
US financial planning considerations for Americans living and working in Switzerland.
Financial Planning for Americans in France
Financial planning for Americans managing US and international assets while living in France.
Financial Planning for Americans in Germany
Cross-border financial planning considerations for Americans living in Germany.
Financial Planning for Americans in the Netherlands
Financial planning for Americans living in the Netherlands with US pensions, investments or other financial connections.
Financial Planning for Americans in Spain
US financial planning considerations for Americans living or retiring in Spain.
Financial Planning for Americans in Portugal
Cross-border financial planning for Americans living or planning to retire in Portugal.
Financial Planning for Americans in Italy
Financial planning considerations for Americans living or retiring in Italy.
Financial Planning for Americans in Belgium
A guide to the financial-planning issues Americans may face while living in Belgium.
Financial Planning for Americans in Luxembourg
Cross-border financial planning considerations for Americans based in Luxembourg.
Financial Planning for Americans in Sweden
Financial planning for Americans with US assets while living in Sweden.
Financial Planning for Americans in Norway
US and cross-border financial planning considerations for Americans based in Norway.
Financial Planning for Americans in Denmark
Financial planning for Americans living in Denmark with US pensions, investments or other financial connections.
Financial Planning for Americans in Austria
Cross-border financial planning considerations for Americans living in Austria.
Moving to or from the United States
Moving Abroad from the US: Financial Planning Checklist
A practical checklist covering the financial areas to review before leaving the United States.
Returning to the United States: Financial Planning
Understand what to review before moving back to the US after living internationally.
Pre-Immigration Financial Planning Before Moving to the US
A guide to reviewing investments, pensions, property and other financial arrangements before becoming US resident.
US Tax Residency for Foreign Nationals: Green Card vs Substantial Presence Test
Understand why determining your US tax residence position is an important part of pre-immigration and cross-border planning.
US State Tax Residency After Moving Abroad
Explore why leaving the United States does not necessarily end every state-level planning consideration.
US Exit Tax and Green Card Relinquishment
Understand the financial-planning issues that should be considered before relinquishing certain long-term US immigration or tax connections.
US Property Planning for Foreign Nationals
A guide to financial-planning considerations for non-US individuals who own or are considering US property.
Financial planning for Americans in Ireland and people returning to Ireland after working in the US.
Financial Planning for Americans in Ireland
Coordinate US and Irish tax, investments, retirement accounts, pensions and estate planning.
Returning to Ireland After Working in the US
Plan your return around Irish residence, US assets, pensions, investments and currency.
401(k) and IRA Planning in Ireland
Review how your US retirement accounts should be managed while living in Ireland.
Should I Roll Over My 401(k) Before Moving to Ireland?
Compare keeping your employer plan with rolling it into an IRA before the move.
IRA and Roth IRA When Moving to Ireland
Understand what changes when you move and what can remain in the US.
Can I Keep My US Brokerage Account in Ireland?
Review provider access, Irish tax, US investments, ETFs and PFIC considerations.
US Social Security and Irish State Pension
Understand how contribution records, benefits and retirement income work across both systems.
How Are US Retirement Accounts Taxed in Ireland?
Understand Irish and US tax on 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA and other retirement income.
Retiring to Ireland From the US
Bring pensions, investments, tax, property, estate planning and currency into one retirement plan.
Estate planning, inheritance and beneficiaries
US Estate Tax Planning for Americans Abroad
A starting point for understanding US estate-planning considerations while living internationally.
US Estate Tax and Situs Assets for Expats
Understand why the location and character of assets can matter within cross-border estate planning.
Estate Planning for a US Citizen Married to a Non-US Spouse
Explore the additional estate-planning considerations that can arise in mixed-nationality marriages.
US Retirement Accounts When a Beneficiary Lives Abroad
Understand the issues to review when the beneficiary of a US retirement account is resident outside the United States.
Inherited IRA and 401(k) Rules for Expats
Planning considerations for people living abroad who inherit US retirement-account assets.
Can a Non-US Spouse Inherit a 401(k) or IRA?
Explore the beneficiary and cross-border planning considerations where a retirement-account holder is married to a non-US spouse.
Beneficiary Planning for US Retirement Accounts When Family Lives Abroad
A guide to reviewing retirement-account beneficiaries when family members live in different countries.
Cross-Border Wills and Beneficiary Planning for US-Connected Families
Understand how wills and beneficiary nominations can fit together within an international estate plan.
Foreign Trusts, Gifts and Inheritances for US-Connected Families
Explore the planning issues that can arise where trusts, gifts or inheritances cross US borders.
US Trusts When Moving Abroad
Understand why existing US trust arrangements may need to be reviewed before or after an international move.
Receiving an Inheritance While Living Abroad
Financial-planning considerations for internationally resident individuals receiving inherited assets.
Cross-Border Charitable Giving for Americans Abroad
Explore charitable-giving considerations when your financial life spans more than one country.
Social Security, healthcare and education planning
Social Security for Expats and Former US Workers
A guide to incorporating US Social Security benefits into an international retirement plan.
Social Security Planning for Internationally Mobile Families
Understand how Social Security can fit alongside other pensions and retirement assets accumulated internationally.
Medicare for Americans Living Abroad
Explore the healthcare and retirement-planning questions Americans overseas may need to consider around Medicare.
Health Savings Accounts for Americans Abroad
Understand how an existing HSA may fit into your wider financial plan after moving overseas.
529 Plans for Americans Abroad and International Families
Planning considerations for US education savings when children or parents live internationally.
Financial planning for internationally mobile families and professionals
Financial Planning for American Executives Abroad
Financial planning for internationally mobile executives managing compensation, investments, retirement assets and long-term wealth.
Financial Planning for American Business Owners Abroad
A guide to coordinating personal and business finances when an American entrepreneur lives internationally.
Foreign Business Ownership for Americans Abroad
Understand the additional planning considerations that can arise when Americans own businesses outside the United States.
Financial Planning for Cross-Border Couples and Families
Financial planning for families whose citizenship, residence, assets or future plans span more than one country.
Coordinating US and Foreign Pensions for Expats
Understand how retirement benefits accumulated in different countries can be brought together into one retirement plan.
Currency Planning for Americans Abroad
Explore how exchange-rate exposure can affect investments, retirement income and future spending.
Banking and Cash Management for Americans Abroad
Understand the practical banking and cash-management considerations that can arise after moving overseas.
Buying and Owning Property Abroad as an American
Financial-planning considerations for Americans purchasing or retaining real estate outside the United States.
Taxation of Foreign Real Estate for Internationally Mobile Families
Understand why property held across borders needs to be considered within wider tax and financial planning.
Life Insurance for Americans Living Abroad
Explore the issues to consider when reviewing life-insurance protection while living internationally.
Bring your US and international finances together
If you have US retirement accounts, investments or other financial connections and now live internationally, I can help you understand how those assets fit into your wider financial plan.
The objective is not to look at a 401(k), IRA, investment account or pension in isolation.
It is to understand how your retirement, investments, tax position, currency, estate planning and future country of residence connect so you can make informed decisions with the full picture in front of you.