Don’t let taxes ruin your retirement abroad
Do you have to pay retirement tax when you move overseas?
The most tax-efficient places to retire abroad
Moving overseas in retirement is a path chosen by many looking for the next adventure in life. But should that mean you lose out on your pension by paying crazy taxes? Not necessarily. For UK expats and foreigners who have worked in the UK and built up a UK pension pot, finding a tax-friendly environment can often be the deciding factor when choosing an overseas retirement location. Here’s some key terms to consider when looking into tax requirements for moving your pension overseas.
How can you transfer your pension abroad?
A Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) is a way to transfer your UK pension into a scheme that has been vetted by UK tax law and meets the qualifying criteria for transfer. In the UK, failing to transfer to a QROPS can mean a minimum of 40% tax on the money you transfer.
This is a popular choice for Silversurfers looking to retire abroad as they often mean less of a tax hit. You can seek to move to the location of your QROPS, but you don’t have to. Each pension case is unique so it’s best to consult a specialist before heading off.
Will I have to pay taxes twice if I move overseas?
It depends on where you choose to go. Double Taxation Agreements are tax treaties that exist between two countries to prevent double taxation of international individuals and businesses. In the case that a Double Taxation Agreement isn’t in place, you may end up paying tax twice if you’re considered a tax resident of two countries (the UK and the country you’re living in, for example). Choosing the right place to move for tax reasons means looking into whether that country has a taxation agreement, and how it will affect you and your circumstances.
Which countries are the best for tax-efficiency?
There are plenty of places for retirees to jet off to, but some notable places for their friendly environment include:
Australia: Australia doesn’t tax local pensions, but the receivable age for a pension in Australia is 60, instead of 55, which may mean you’ll have to wait before you can access your pension. Many of Australian QROPS have also been made ineligible since 2015, so you’ll need to check with the UK Government website prior to leaving.
Portugal: Portugal allows a 10-year exemption from taxes on your pension income if you’ve drawn your pension out in lump sums over that period.
Along with managing your pension, you’ll need to investigate other factors like the costs of living, visa requirements, and how to get the best exchange rates when transferring money overseas.
Using OFX to manage foreign money transfers means you can hold on to more of that hard-earned cash with lower exchange rate margins than the banks, and tools to help reduce the risk of currency fluctuations during volatility as a result of Brexit. OFX can help you lock in a rate today for payment later, or set a desired rate, and payment can then be made if that rate is reached. Silversurfers has partnered with OFX to serve all your global money transfer needs. Register here.
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