Expat Financial Planning

Gone for a Burton! What Expats Can Learn About Estate Planning from an Acting Legend

Expats and Estate Planning: Avoiding UK Inheritance Tax Pitfalls For British expats, estate planning isn’t just about writing a will—it’s about understanding domicile laws to avoid UK Inheritance Tax. Without proper planning, your global assets could still be taxed in the UK. Learn how one acting legend’s case highlights the importance of strategic estate planning for expats. Richard Burton was an actor renowned for both his exceptional talent and his turbulent personal life. He also offers a cautionary tale for…

What do I do with an inherited pension?

Inherited Pension A pension is typically the second largest asset that someone owns (after the family home). However, they often get overlooked when people think about passing on their wealth, as they fall outside of an estate for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes. Understanding pensions and what to do when you inherit one can be tricky too, with various options and considerations depending on the type of pension and your circumstances. This blog post aims to guide you through the key…

Expat Finance 101: 10 Reasons You Should Have a Will

You have probably been told on numerous occasions that you should have a Will. Indeed, doing so may have been on your mental to-do list for months or years. However, you haven’t yet gotten around to it. This may just be due to the hustle and bustle of day-to-day expat life. It may be that you aren’t really sure how to get started. Nonetheless, making a Will is one of the most important things we can do.

The importance of properly nominating beneficiaries

A beneficiary nomination is a crucial step in ensuring your wishes are respected when it comes to the distribution of your pension or life insurance benefits. By nominating beneficiaries, you can ensure your assets are passed on to the right individuals. Completing a beneficiary nomination form provides clarity and helps prevent any misunderstandings or delays after your passing.

How are defined benefit pension transfer values calculated?

In the past decade, huge numbers of people have transferred their final salary/defined benefit pensions to a SIPP or QROPS as Cash Equivalent Transfer Values have soared. However, since the start of 2022, these valuations have started to fall back and I have had numerous enquiries from people wanting to know why their pension transfer value has dropped. In this post, we will look at the nuts and bolts of how a defined benefit pension cash transfer value is calculated.

What is an international SIPP?

Considering an International SIPP? This guide explains how overseas pension transfers work, the tax implications for expats, and how to find the right advice for your retirement.