Expat Retirement Planning Firms Compared

Expat retirement planning firms offer different combinations of pension advice, international investment management, retirement income planning and cross-border wealth management.

Adam Fayed, Chase Buchanan, Skybound Wealth Management and Hoxton Wealth are among the providers serving expatriates with international financial planning needs.

Some expats need specialist guidance on existing pensions or retirement transfers. Others are more concerned with building an investment portfolio, generating retirement income or managing wealth across multiple countries.

Adam Fayed's international advisory approach is relevant to expats who want to consider retirement alongside their wider investment and wealth management decisions, particularly where their financial arrangements extend beyond a single country's pension system.

The appropriate choice will reflect the individual's pension arrangements, country of residence, intended retirement destination, required services and budget.

The firms are included for comparison, without implying a ranking or endorsement. 

The comparison should focus on how each firm's services align with an expat's retirement objectives, investment needs and financial circumstances. Fees, regulatory arrangements and access to specialist support should also be considered.

Key Takeaways

• Cross-border expertise, pension knowledge and transparent fees are central criteria when comparing retirement planning firms.
• Pension transfers, retirement income and investment management may require coordination across multiple jurisdictions.
• A firm's value lies in how well it aligns pension decisions with investment strategy, tax exposure and future retirement income needs.
• The strongest fit depends on existing pension arrangements, the intended retirement destination and broader wealth planning needs.

My contact details are hello@adamfayed.com and WhatsApp ‪+44-7393-450-837 if you have any questions.

The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.

What should expats look for in a retirement planning firm?

Expats should look for a retirement planning firm with cross-border pension expertise, international experience, transparent fees and appropriate regulatory authorization.

1. Cross-border pension and retirement planning expertise

A suitable firm should have experience with cross-border pensions, understand the pension rules in the countries involved and assess how existing retirement savings can support future living expenses.

This includes reviewing workplace and private pensions, explaining the implications of retaining or transferring benefits, and identifying when specialist pension or tax advice is required.

For example, an expat with a UK pension who plans to retire in Spain may be able to retain the pension and receive benefits abroad, subject to the scheme's rules.

An overseas transfer may also be possible, but eligibility, potential loss of guarantees and tax consequences must be considered.

Transfers to qualifying recognized overseas pension schemes (QROPS) can incur an overseas transfer charge in certain circumstances.

The firm should also be able to assess whether pensions, savings and investments can support the intended retirement lifestyle.

This may involve projecting retirement income, modelling different retirement ages and spending levels, and accounting for inflation, currency fluctuations and future relocation.

2. Transparent fees and minimum investment requirements

Expats should request a written breakdown of the firm's fees before committing, including:

• Initial planning or consultation fees
• Ongoing advice and portfolio management charges
• Pension transfer advice fees, where applicable
• Investment platform, fund and product costs
• Custody, administration and currency conversion charges
• Minimum investment or asset requirements

Compare the total cost of the proposed arrangement rather than relying on a headline advisory fee, as additional product and platform charges can increase the overall expense.

3. Regulatory authorization and professional qualifications

 When comparing providers of expatriate financial advice, consider their experience with your retirement needs, the services available in your country of residence and whether specialist pension advice is required 

International groups may operate through different legal entities and regulatory arrangements, depending on the countries and services involved.

Check the adviser's qualifications, the firm's registration and the scope of its permissions.

For UK-related advice, the Financial Conduct Authority's Financial Services Register is a useful starting point. 

When comparing providers, consider their experience with your retirement needs, the services available in your country of residence and whether specialist pension advice is required.

4. Ongoing Reviews and Retirement Income Support

A retirement planning firm should offer a clear process for reviewing the financial plan as the expat's circumstances change.

Relocation, changes in tax residency, new pension entitlements and shifting spending needs can all affect retirement projections.

Ask how frequently the firm reviews the plan, monitors investments and adjusts withdrawal strategies.

Support should cover both the accumulation phase, when retirement savings are being built, and the retirement phase, when those assets need to provide sustainable income.

Which firms specialise in retirement planning for expats?

Adam Fayed, Chase Buchanan, Skybound Wealth Management and Hoxton Wealth offer overlapping services in international retirement planning, investment management and cross-border wealth advice.

The differences lie in their areas of emphasis, the pension arrangements they work with, how they deliver advice and the services available through their respective entities.

The following comparison is not a definitive ranking. The most suitable provider depends on the client's retirement objectives, existing assets, pension arrangements and country of residence.

Adam Fayed

Best suited to: Expats, internationally mobile professionals and high-net-worth individuals who want to build or manage retirement wealth through a broader international investment strategy.

Retirement planning scope: Adam Fayed approaches retirement planning as part of an individual's wider financial position, bringing together international investments, portfolio management, retirement income objectives and long-term wealth structuring.

This approach is particularly relevant to expats whose retirement assets extend beyond traditional pension arrangements, including those building investment portfolios to support financial independence or retirement in another country.

Adam Fayed's international advisory model includes business interests in Mauritius, Uganda and Singapore, with arrangements involving locally licensed advisers. Most client communication is conducted remotely, which can be useful for expats managing their finances across countries.

Retirement planning may involve existing pensions alongside investment accounts and other assets intended to provide future income.

Where a client's circumstances require specialist pension transfer advice, scheme-specific analysis or jurisdiction-specific legal and tax guidance, appropriately qualified professionals may need to be involved.

Fees and minimums: Published information states that standalone consultations generally start at US$1,500, depending on scope and complexity.

Investment-related costs range from approximately 0.5%–2.5% annually, depending on the platform, structure and underlying investments. The applicable costs and investment minimums should be confirmed for the proposed arrangement 

Main strengths:

• Integrates investment decisions with wider international wealth planning objectives.
•  Relevant to expats building retirement wealth through investments beyond traditional pension arrangements 
• Remote service can suit expats who move between countries.
• Can be relevant to clients whose retirement planning overlaps with portfolio management and wealth structuring.

Considerations:

• The predominantly remote advisory model may not suit clients who prefer regular face-to-face meetings.
• The suitability of any investment arrangement, its minimums and its total costs must be confirmed individually.
•  Service availability and regulatory arrangements vary by jurisdiction, so clients should confirm which entity will provide their advice.

Chase Buchanan

Best suited to: Expats seeking comprehensive financial planning that includes pensions, investments, retirement income projections and wider financial goals.

Retirement planning scope: Offers retirement planning and broader financial planning.

Its published services include cash flow modelling, pension reviews and consideration of how pensions, savings and other assets can support retirement objectives.

Its retirement planning services include reviewing existing pension products and considering whether overseas transfers or alternative arrangements may be suitable.

 The firm serves expatriate clients through teams in several regions, including Europe, Canada and the UK 

Clients should confirm that the relevant adviser is authorized to provide the specific pension advice required.

Fees and minimums: Chase Buchanan does not publish a single standardized fee structure for all clients. Its guidance indicates that wealth management costs generally average around 1%–2% of assets under management, although actual charges depend on the services and arrangements involved.

A fee schedule linked from its company documentation page lists a 7% initial investment fee and a 1% annual management fee for standard investments. However, the schedule dates from 2021, and current fees and investment minimums should be confirmed directly. 

Main strengths:

• Combines retirement planning with wider financial planning
• Offers cash flow modelling and pension reviews
• Its stated approach includes ongoing reviews and adjustments as circumstances change.

Considerations:

• The scope of advice and availability of particular services may vary by location.
• Clients with complex pension transfer needs should confirm the relevant adviser's specialist expertise and permissions.
• Fees and minimums need to be established directly rather than assumed from the firm's general service descriptions.

Skybound Wealth Management

Best suited to: Expats looking for pension-focused support alongside international financial planning, investment management and retirement advice.

Retirement planning scope: Skybound Wealth lists retirement planning, pension reviews, UK pension transfers, self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) and QROPS-related services among its offerings.

It also provides broader financial planning, including tax and estate planning considerations.

The firm's pension services are directly relevant to expats who need to review existing UK pension arrangements or assess eligible international pension options.

The precise advice available will depend on the pension, the client's residence and the relevant regulatory permissions.

Fees and minimums: Skybound Wealth USA lists a minimum of US$100,000 in investable assets, with annual investment management fees of 1.50% on the first US$500,000, 1.25% on the next US$500,000 and 1.00% above US$1 million.

These figures apply to its US entity and should not be assumed to represent the fees or minimums of its international offices.

Main strengths:

• Clearly identified pension-related services for expatriates
• Combines pension advice with retirement, investment and estate planning considerations
• Its stated service offering includes planning for possible repatriation

Considerations:

• Its listed pension services do not establish suitability for every country's pension system.
• Clients with pensions outside the firm's core areas should confirm whether the firm can advise directly or needs to coordinate with another specialist.
• Actual costs and available services require individual confirmation.

Hoxton Wealth

Best suited to: Expats seeking integrated financial planning and investment management, particularly those who need retirement planning alongside other financial services.

Retirement planning scope: Hoxton Wealth lists retirement planning, retirement income planning and retirement savings strategies among its services.

It also identifies financial planning, investment, tax and legal services as areas of its broader offering.

Its published retirement services include US-connected planning involving 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs), as well as defined-benefit pension considerations.

Expats with other pension types should confirm the firm's experience with their specific arrangements.

Fees and minimums: Hoxton Wealth's UK investment page lists portfolio fees starting at 0.5% annually for a global indexed solution, while its US entity has a standard account minimum of US$25,000, which may be waived.

These figures vary by service and entity, so confirm the applicable fees and minimums with the relevant office before proceeding.

Main strengths:

• Combines retirement income planning with broader financial planning
• Lists services for US-connected retirement arrangements
• May suit clients who want to coordinate investments and retirement planning within a wider financial relationship

Considerations:

• Its published US account minimum and UK investment fees relate to different entities, so clients should establish which terms apply to their location.
• Expats with pensions across several jurisdictions should confirm whether Hoxton can advise directly on each scheme or needs to coordinate with external pension specialists.
• Clients seeking specialist overseas pension transfer advice should verify the relevant adviser's regulatory permissions

Questions to ask before choosing a retirement planning firm

Before engaging a firm, expats should confirm that it can address their specific pension arrangements, provide advice in their country of residence and coordinate any specialist support required.

The following questions can help identify potential gaps before signing an agreement.

Conclusion

Retirement planning for expats is ultimately a test of how well a financial strategy holds up when circumstances change.

A pension that works well in one country may become less practical after relocation, while a portfolio designed for accumulation may need a different structure once regular withdrawals begin.

This makes adaptability a valuable measure of an adviser’s quality.

The right firm should help build a retirement plan that can accommodate changes in residence, income needs and financial priorities without forcing every decision to start from scratch.

The goal is not simply to reach retirement with sufficient assets, but to make those assets usable, sustainable and manageable across the years that follow.

FAQs

Which country is the best for an expat to retire in?

Portugal, Spain, Malaysia and Thailand are popular options, but the best country is based on the retiree's budget, healthcare needs, residency eligibility and tax treatment of foreign pensions and investments.

What is a reasonable fee for financial advice?

A reasonable fee is based on the service, but ongoing advice commonly costs around 0.5%–1% of assets under management annually, while initial advice may involve a fixed fee or a percentage of the amount invested.

What is the best age to start planning for retirement?

Starting in your 20s or 30s gives savings more time to grow, but retirement planning is valuable at any age.

Expats should also review their plans when changing countries, jobs or retirement destinations.

What happens to your pension if you move to another country?

You can generally keep an existing pension when moving abroad, but access, withdrawal options and taxation may change under the rules of the pension scheme and destination country.

Transferring it overseas may be possible, but check eligibility requirements, potential tax charges and whether the move could affect valuable pension benefits.

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