U.S. Retirement Accounts for Americans Abroad
Keeping U.S. Accounts While Living Abroad
Many Americans living abroad can keep their IRAs, 401(k)s, and Roth IRAs, though contributions may be limited if you don’t have U.S. taxable earned income (foreign earned income excluded under the FEIE often doesn’t count). Withdrawals may still be taxed in the U.S. and possibly in your country of residence, depending on local rules or tax treaties. Some countries don’t recognise U.S. tax deferral, and Roth IRAs may be treated as taxable investment accounts, so careful planning is essential for each account type.
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Plan Your Retirement with Confidence
These are the key things to know about your U.S. retirement accounts abroad.
Keep Your Accounts
IRAs, 401(k)s, and Roth IRAs can often be maintained even after moving abroad.
Understand Tax Rules
Withdrawals may be taxed in the U.S. and potentially in your new country of residence.
Consider Local Laws
Some countries don’t recognise U.S. tax deferral; planning is essential to avoid surprises.
Expert Guidance
Use professional advice to navigate Roth IRAs, tax treaties, contribution limits, and local taxation rules.
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.

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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.
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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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