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401(k) Rollover to IRA
Expert Guidance for US Expats US Flag

For US expats, managing your 401(k) after leaving your employer can feel complicated. Taxes, compliance rules, and limited investment options often make it difficult to make the right decision. SJB Global provides expert guidance to help you roll over your 401(k) into an IRA safely, access better investment options, and maintain compliance with US regulations — no matter where you live abroad.

Moving Abroad? Get your FREE expert guide to managing U.S. retirement accounts—fill in the form to access your download and unlock even more resources for Americans overseas.

Your 401(k) Rollover Questions Answered

Managing a 401(k) after leaving a US employer can be confusing, especially for Americans living abroad. From understanding your rollover options to navigating taxes and compliance requirements, there are many important considerations. Below, we answer the key questions US expats typically have when rolling over their 401(k) into an IRA.

What Is a 401(k) and Why Roll It Over?

A 401(k) is a US retirement savings plan where employees contribute a portion of their paycheck into a long-term investment. When you leave your employer, the account becomes dormant. Rolling it over to an IRA provides greater control, lower fees, and more investment choices compared to leaving it in a former employer’s plan.

Who Needs Expert Guidance?

Many US expats struggle to find advisers who are regulated both in the US and their country of residence. Some 401(k) plans limit investment options, encourage company stock investments, or charge high management fees through annuity contracts. SJB Global helps you navigate these complexities and choose the best path.

401(k) Rollover Options

Rollover to an IRA: Consolidate multiple 401(k)s into an IRA for lower fees, broader investment choices (ETFs, mutual funds, stocks, bonds), and the option to appoint a regulated investment adviser.

Cash-Out: Withdrawing funds directly can trigger state, federal, and foreign taxes, as well as a 10% early withdrawal penalty if under 59½. Direct rollover to an IRA avoids most of these pitfalls.

Key Benefits of Rolling Over Your 401(k) to an IRA

Lower Fees

IRAs typically charge lower annual fees than old 401(k) plans, keeping more of your money invested.

Broader Investments

Gain access to a wide array of investments including ETFs, mutual funds, stocks, and bonds.

Expert Advice

Appoint a regulated adviser to help manage your portfolio according to your cross-border needs.

Compliance & Security

Maintain full compliance with IRS regulations and FATCA while living abroad.

Your Free Guide to U.S. Retirement Plans Abroad

Get access to our comprehensive PDF guide: U.S. Retirement Plans for Non-U.S. Residents.

Inside, you’ll find expert insights on:

  • Managing your retirement accounts overseas
  • Rollovers, withdrawals, and tax implications
  • Understanding 401(k), IRA, Roth, and other plans
  • Key strategies for avoiding double taxation
  • Estate planning and cross-border considerations

This free guide is just one of many resources we’ve created for expats. By filling in the form, you’ll unlock access to our entire downloads page, packed with additional guides on tax, pensions, and financial planning for Americans abroad.

See What Our Clients Say

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Ready to Get Started?

Managing finances across the US and the UK doesn’t have to be complicated. With expert advice, you can stay compliant, tax-efficient, and confident about your financial future.

What does the obligation free call include?

An initial 15-minute introduction call explaining our services and how we can help.

We go through a fact-finding exercise so we can then provide a full financial planning report including a personalised retirement forecast with future projections and work out how on track you are.

Lastly, we will provide a recommendation on any areas where we feel you could improve.

Who is SJB Global and meet your adviser

Our regulations, Independence and Fees

Our process from start to finish

Area we help with including:

UK Pension Advice

Retirement Planning

Investment Planning

Tax Planning

US Expat Services

International Estate Planning

Note: Minimum managed assets for SJB Global is £100,000 or currency equivalent.

Licensing & Regulations

Nexus Global specialises in providing a regulatory platform and compliance support to international financial advisers and intermediaries to enable them to meet regulatory requirements to provide their clients with a professional service. The financial advisers trading under SJB Global are members of Nexus Global. Nexus Global is a division of Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited (BFMI). All approved members of Nexus Global are appointed representatives of BFMI. BFMI is licensed and regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (FSC) and bound by the rules under licence number 3647: http://www.fsc.gi/regulated-entity/blacktower-financial-management-international-limited-3647.

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