The British Expat's Guide to Pensions

Living abroad brings opportunity, but it also adds layers of complexity to your UK pensions. Whether you hold a State Pension, Defined Benefit scheme, workplace pensions, or a SIPP, the rules that apply to you as an expatriate differ significantly from those in the UK.

This comprehensive guide explains what you need to know, the actions to take, and how to avoid costly mistakes.

The guide helps you understand:

The Complexities Expatriates Face

Pensions intersect with UK legislation, international tax law, exchange rates, and local succession rules. The guide explains why expat pensions require more careful planning than those held by UK-residents.

The Different Types of UK Pensions

You will find clear explanations and examples covering:

• State Pension rules, eligibility and the frozen pension issue
• Defined Benefit schemes, valuation, and transfer considerations
• Defined Contribution pensions
• SIPPs and International SIPPs
• How each pension type behaves when you live overseas

Taxation for Expats

The guide breaks down residency tests, Double Tax Treaties, NT codes, withholding tax, and common scenarios such as living in Spain, the UAE, Australia, the US, and more.

Investment Strategy Abroad

Learn how to manage currency exposure, inflation risk, diversification, and multi-currency portfolios - essential for expatriates who will retire or spend in currencies other than GBP.

Transfers and Consolidation

Understand when transferring may be suitable, when it is not, FCA requirements, TVCs, QROPS restrictions, and the risks associated with poor advice.

Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

The guide details the most common expat mistakes - scams, high-fee structures, unsuitable transfers, double taxation, and inheritance complications.

Real Case Studies

Eight real-world scenarios illustrate practical challenges and solutions for expats in Spain, Dubai, Hong Kong, France, Singapore and more.

This guide is particularly relevant if you are:

• A British expatriate with pensions remaining in the UK
• Planning retirement abroad or considering a future move
• Unsure how the State Pension works now that you live overseas
• Interested in consolidating pensions into a SIPP or International SIPP
• Concerned about tax, currency, or inheritance implications
• Privately seeking clear, regulated insight before making major decisions

If you have DB, DC, or multiple workplace pensions, or if you expect to draw pension income in a different currency, you’ll find the guidance especially valuable.

• Your State Pension may be uprated annually, or frozen for life, depending on where you live.
• Pension withdrawals may be taxed in the UK, your country of residence, or both, unless treaties are applied correctly.
• DB transfers can involve giving up lifetime guarantees, and unsuitable transfers are a major source of financial loss among expatriates.
• Currency fluctuations alone can reduce your spending power by 20 percent or more in a single year.
• Local inheritance laws may override UK pension rules if you live in certain European or Middle Eastern jurisdictions.

A step-by-step framework for getting your pension affairs in order

Including how to audit your pensions, check your NI record, assess transfer suitability, structure withdrawals tax-efficiently, and prepare for succession planning.

A clear understanding of your obligations

Residency, taxation, access rules, and how to comply with UK and local regulations.

Practical tools

The guide contains worksheets, checklists, adviser questions, and summaries designed to support decisive action.

Access the complete British Expat’s Guide to Pensions to understand how to protect, grow, and structure your pensions effectively - wherever in the world you live.