FREE GUIDE FOR AMERICANS LIVING ABROAD
Living overseas does not mean leaving your US retirement behind. But the rules for access, reporting and withdrawals work differently once you have a foreign address. Our free guide explains what to check before you touch your accounts.
A plain English guide for US citizens and green card holders living abroad.
QUESTION 1Can your 401(k) or IRA still be managed without restrictions now that you live abroad?
QUESTION 2Do you know whether FBAR or FATCA reporting applies to your foreign accounts?
QUESTION 3What US and local tax could apply when you start taking withdrawals?
QUESTION 4Are the investment funds you hold abroad treated as PFICs by the IRS?
QUESTION 5Is your current advisor able to support you across both countries?
If you hesitated on any of these, the guide was written for you.
In most cases you do not need to close your 401(k) or IRA when you move overseas. However, some US providers restrict trading or services once they see a foreign address, so it is worth checking your provider's policy before a problem appears.
The US generally taxes its citizens on worldwide income wherever they live. Most US expats still need to file a US tax return each year, even if they also pay tax in their country of residence.
If the combined value of your financial accounts outside the US exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year, you generally need to file FinCEN Form 114. Penalties for not filing can be substantial, even when no tax is owed.
If you live abroad, you may also need to file Form 8938 when your foreign financial assets exceed $200,000 on the last day of the tax year or $300,000 at any time during the year (single filers). For married couples filing jointly the figures are $400,000 and $600,000.
Paying into a 401(k) generally requires a US employer that offers the plan. IRA contributions require compensation that is taxable in the US, and income excluded under the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion ($132,900 for tax year 2026) does not count toward eligibility.
Many mutual funds and ETFs sold outside the US are treated by the IRS as Passive Foreign Investment Companies. They can carry complex reporting and often unfavorable US tax treatment.
US retirement accounts held with US providers are not foreign accounts for FBAR or FATCA purposes. Foreign bank, investment and pension accounts may be.
Four quick, free tools based on published US federal rules. No sign up needed. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.
See how your figures compare with the published US reporting thresholds.
These Form 8938 thresholds apply to taxpayers who meet the IRS definition of living abroad. Lower thresholds apply to those living in the US. US based 401(k) and IRA accounts are not foreign accounts and should not be included.
See how the 10% additional tax and federal income tax could apply to a withdrawal.
Assumes a fully taxable distribution with no exception to the 10% additional tax. A large withdrawal can move part of your income into a higher bracket. Your country of residence may also tax this income.
Estimate a Required Minimum Distribution using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
A missed RMD can be subject to a 25% excise tax on the shortfall, reduced to 10% if corrected within two years. Your first RMD can be delayed until April 1 of the following year. A different table applies if your spouse is your sole beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger than you. Roth IRAs have no RMDs during the owner's lifetime.
See how exchange rate movement alone changes the value of the same dollar amount in your spending currency.
This shows the effect of exchange rate movement only, on the same dollar amount. It is not a forecast. You enter both rates. The tool does not pull live rates.
Whether you live in France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, the UAE, Singapore or elsewhere, your US filing and retirement account rules continue to apply. How your country of residence treats the same income varies from country to country, which is why a joined up view matters.
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A free first conversation with one of our advisors about your situation.
Ongoing advice from a team that understands both sides of the equation.
In most cases, yes. The US generally taxes citizens and green card holders on worldwide income wherever they live, so most US expats still file a federal return each year.
Generally no. These accounts can usually stay open. Some providers limit services for clients with a foreign address, so check your provider's policy.
It depends on your income. A 401(k) generally requires a US employer that offers the plan. An IRA requires compensation that is taxable in the US. For 2026 the limits are $24,500 for a 401(k) and $7,500 for an IRA, with additional catch up amounts from age 50.
FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is filed separately with FinCEN when combined foreign accounts exceed $10,000 at any time in the year. FATCA Form 8938 is filed with your tax return when foreign financial assets exceed higher thresholds, which for those living abroad start at $200,000 for single filers.
Early distributions are generally subject to a 10% additional tax on top of ordinary income tax, unless an exception applies.
Generally at age 73 if you were born between 1951 and 1959, and at age 75 if you were born in 1960 or later. A missed RMD can be subject to a 25% excise tax, reduced to 10% if corrected within two years. Roth IRAs have no RMDs during the owner's lifetime.
It is possible. The outcome depends on your country of residence and any tax treaty it has with the US. Tools such as the Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) may help offset US tax with tax paid abroad.
A Passive Foreign Investment Company. Many funds sold outside the US fall into this category and can carry complex US reporting and often unfavorable tax treatment.
Yes. The guide is free and so is your first conversation with us.
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