Retiring as an ex-pat requires planning and sound decision-making. It’s a life-changing choice that shouldn’t be done on impulse. If you want to achieve a comfortable retirement, you need to maximise your working years. Yes, some lifestyle changes may be needed for you to reach this goal. But, remember that working in a foreign country and deciding to retire there are two different things. Living off of your pension is no longer sufficient. So, when it comes to finances, you need to start early and save as much as you can. It will involve investing your earnings so that you can have a fail-safe when it comes to funding your lifestyle.
How do you begin planning for an overseas retirement?
If you want to start planning for your retirement now, the first thing you need to do is set a specific goal. You need to set a retirement date or age. From here, you can decide on your destination. Some questions you need to answer include:
- Where do you plan to retire?
- Are you currently living and working in your chosen destination?
- How can you best prepare financially given your current circumstances?
According to https://tailormadepensions.eu, ex-pats can save for their retirement with the help of various investment products. You’ll be at an advantage if you live in a tax-free country. Also, be careful if you’re thinking about transferring your pension offshore. It’s critical to understand the charges and fees associated with it, plus the possibility of paying more taxes.
When is the best time to start saving up for a pension?
Saving up early for your pension will ensure that you’re well-prepared for a good retirement. But, some people do find it challenging to fund a pension at a young age. Waiting until you’re at least 40 years old will significantly decrease your savings. Another benefit of saving up early is the opportunity to invest your money and get long-term returns.
Access to all pension sources
Many ex-pats will work for several employees and get assigned to different countries. Sometimes, it can be hard to keep track of all employee benefits, especially employer-funded pensions. Expat retirement planning should take into account any and all pension plans you have. If possible, you can consolidate all your pensions in one pot. Keeping tabs on all these funds will ensure that none are under performing. Remember that leaving your funds without monitoring the growth will likely lead to missing out on great investment opportunities.
How do you protect your pension?
An ex-pat planning to retire abroad should know about currency fluctuations. Anytime you want to transfer your money to a foreign country, you risk losing because of currency exchange. However, one way to protect the funds is to put your money in a pension scheme that allows foreign transfers. These schemes will protect your money and ensure that you don’t lose as much. Nevertheless, you need to know every detail involved as there could also be fees and taxes charged for pension transfers. As a wise pension planner, you can always ask for the assistance of a financial advisor.
