There is a high chance that, due to regulations and local permissions, your assets in the UK can no longer be actively managed. There may also be further restrictions with respect to future investments due to the protectionist nature of the IRS and the American system.
Services for expats in the US
UK Pension Transfer
Having moved to the US, you may wish to consider your options regarding your UK pension schemes. Depending on your personal circumstances and how long you plan to stay in the United States, it can sometimes make sense to transfer these to a more bespoke solution.
By consolidating and transferring your UK schemes, you could benefit from ongoing professional investment management, as well as reducing future currency risk by holding your funds in US Dollars (USD) rather than Sterling (GBP).
Furthermore, some UK pension schemes do not offer flexible access to non-UK residents. This may mean your only option is to fully encash the pension which could create a large tax liability in the US. Considering the high level of state and federal taxes that can be imposed, it’s important to organise your pension arrangements to avoid any unforeseen surprises.
It is also likely that you will have retirement vehicles starting in the US, such as 401Ks or IRAs. Our advice team at Harrison Brook can help to assess the suitability of a transfer, along with the management of any US accounts.
Investment Consolidation
Working and living around Europe may have resulted in the creation of various overseas investment accounts. As someone moving to the US, it is essential that your investment accounts remain compliant at all times in order to avoid significant future taxation concerns and fall foul of IRS requirements.
Whether you will be in the US for the short or long term, it’s extremely important to ensure you use US compliant solutions for your savings and investments. For non-US compliant investments, generally known as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC), the IRS can impose significantly greater tax rates on these holdings. The PFICs rules came into place through tax reforms passed in 1986, and they were introduced to reduce the amount of tax avoidance from holding offshore investments. Moreover, after the introduction of the FATCA legislation in 2010, requirements were placed on all foreign financial institutions to report on the assets held by US citizens and US permanent residents. It’s therefore integral to ensure your assets are compliant as they will be reported regardless of where they are held.
Here at Harrison Brook, we specialise in tax-efficient and compliant investment accounts that are tailored for foreign nationals moving to the States. We are SEC regulated and are experienced in cross-border financial planning. This means we have access to different providers and products that are compliant and in line with your situation. Planning ahead, in particular with your assets, is important as a US resident and it is an area we can assist with.
