Living or moving and working abroad. (Your pension)

Obtaining good , expert independent financial advice on your pension, health insurance and tax affairs before you move overseas and join the ex-patriot community is essential. Taxation, financial rules, investor and pension protection can be very different in your new country of residence.

Whether you have retired, retiring early and thinking about a new career in the sun or rae leaving to make your fortune as a young expat some time spoent now with an Independent Financial Adviser may be the very best investment you could make in ensuring a and maximising a financially secure retirement.

It is essential to take advice before making the move. Of course an essential part of this is to ensure that the adviser you choose is properly experienced, qualified and is regulated here in the UK.

Transferring your pension to your new country of residence can be a both a complicated and expensive process.

This is a step that must be carefully considered, and for which professional advice is vital.

It is probably only sensible for those with large sums in their pension to justify the work and expense involved.

If you will be working in your new country of residence, the news scheme is authorised in your new country of residence, payments from your pension fund have not commenced you may be able to transfer.

Consider that giving up a final salary pension scheme in the UK for a money purchase arrangement that may not be operated under the same level of investor protection that exists under the FSA in the UK is a step that should only be considered with an expert and experienced ex-patriot financial adviser .

Your new pension will be subject to tax rules, exchange rates and scheme protection that operate in your new overseas location. You MUST obtain tax advice from an adviser who is experienced and knowledgeable on tax and the treatment of UK citizens moving to live permanently overseas

The transferring scheme is legally bound to take steps to ensure that the scheme that is receiving your pension is a pension fund."

Seek advice from the Occupational Pensions Advisory Service (OPAS)

http://www.opas.org.uk/

The Pensions Advisory Service, is an independent non-profit organisation that provides free information, advice and guidance on the whole spectrum of pensions covering State, company, personal and stakeholder schemes.

They operate a telephone helpline on 0845 601 2923. Calls are charged at the local call rate.