If you have recently moved to Asia, it is important to adjust your financial plan to fit your new circumstances. Here are the top five questions asked by newbie expats in Asia and some answers!
1. Will I still be eligible for a UK state pension?
Anyone who has paid UK National Insurance contributions for a minimum of 10 years is entitled to a UK state pension. This will be payable whether you return to the UK or see out your days in Asia. If you can accrue 35 years of qualifying contributions you will qualify for the full UK state pension, which is £9,339 in the 2021-22 tax year.
The good news for expatriates is that you can apply to continue paying voluntary Class 2 National Insurance contributions while living abroad to maintain your eligibility for the UK state pension. Even better news, the cost to do this is currently only around £150 per year! It doesn’t take a genius to work out that paying £150 per year to guarantee thousands of pounds of income per year when you retire is a great deal.
There are certain eligibility conditions for Class 2 contributions so check your status online and apply using the CF83 form.
2. Can I keep my UK ISAs?
You can keep existing UK ISAs while you are living abroad but you can no longer contribute into them. If you haven’t done so already, you should inform your ISA provider of your new address as soon as possible.
Emigrating abroad opens up many new savings opportunities for British expatriates and you are likely to get a better return by repositioning your ISAs. We recommend that you have a professional look at your situation to see whether it makes sense to find alternative investment vehicles as part of your overall financial plan.
3. Is my UK life insurance still valid?
It is unlikely, although not impossible, that your UK life insurance will continue to be valid while you are living overseas. The first step is to speak to your insurance provider and inform them of your move.
Even if you can continue with your policy, in most cases, circumstances have changed so much after a move abroad that a total rethink on life insurance requirements is required. It’s a good idea to take a fresh look at your debts, outgoings and future financial liabilities (like school and university fees for your kids) with a financial adviser.
4. Can I access NHS care when I’m visiting the UK?
The official answer is no. Access to the NHS is based on residency so when you are no longer resident in the UK, you lose your entitlement to free NHS healthcare. As an expatriate abroad you really need to ensure that you have a comprehensive medical policy in place to cover all your healthcare needs wherever you are living, as well as taking out travel insurance when travelling. For both types of policy, repatriation is an important consideration to ensure that wherever you fall ill and require medical care, the cost to return home is covered by the insurer.
5. How should I save for retirement while living in Asia?
There is no simple answer to this question. It will depend on the retirement planning you already have in place, where you are resident, your retirement goals and appetite for risk. The best way to evaluate your options is by finding a cross-border financial planning specialist who can assess your situation with you and put together a bespoke plan.
Moving abroad has a profound impact on your financial planning requirements: income, life insurance, health insurance, retirement planning, estate planning, the cost of your child’s education… everything will have changed.
You could spend many hours researching and planning to ensure that you have everything covered, or you could consult a financial planning professional who works with British expatriates day in day out and has all the knowledge and experience to put together a holistic and bespoke plan which maximises return, protects your assets and minimises your tax liability. We know which we’d choose!
Protect your family and your financial future the easy way, contact us today and we can put you in touch with an adviser near you who can accompany you every step of the way as you embark on your journey as an expatriate in Asia.
A leading provider of expat financial services and wealth management services across Asia.
