Part 1 of 31 Things Americans Should Think About Before Moving Abroad : Retirement Planning

Darien Wilson
Mar 24, 2025
2 min read

Updated: May 1, 2025

Are you a U.S. American dreaming of moving abroad?

I’m Darien, a U.S. American who moved to the Netherlands in 2021. Welcome to Part 1 of my 31-day series on the things Americans—especially those of us in the sandwich years—should consider before making an international move.

We’re not in our 20s anymore, and we’re not yet retired. For many of us, a top concern is retirement—and how our move will affect it.

How Does Moving Abroad Affect Retirement Planning?

One of the most overlooked aspects of planning an international move is understanding how your American citizenship impacts your ability to invest and save for retirement, especially depending on where you choose to live.

If you already have enough saved to retire—great! But if you’re still in the workforce and relying on future income and investments, this is a crucial issue to research.

What If You're Moving for a Job?

If you're moving abroad for a job, there's a good chance your employer may offer a pension plan or retirement contributions in your new country. Be sure to ask about it and understand how it works.

What If You’re a Digital Nomad or Entrepreneur?

If you’re self-employed, freelancing, or running your own business abroad, your retirement planning becomes more complex. You’ll need to find out:

Can you continue contributing to U.S.-based accounts like a 401(k) or IRA?
What investment options are available in your new country for foreign citizens?
Are there tax-advantaged accounts similar to U.S. retirement vehicles?

Will Your New Country Tax Your U.S. Retirement Savings?

Another key consideration: How will your target country tax your U.S.-based retirement income? Even if you receive Social Security or withdraw from a 401(k) or IRA, some countries may tax that income differently—or additionally. That can have a huge impact on your long-term financial stability.

Don’t Panic—There Are Resources

This is a complex issue, but you’re not alone. Here in the Netherlands, I’ve found several resources to help U.S. citizens understand their retirement options and tax obligations. Wherever you move, there are likely experts and organizations who can help you plan wisely for the future.

Bottom Line: Plan Ahead

Retirement planning as an immigrant isn’t impossible—but it does take foresight. If you’ve thought it through and still want to make the leap, you’ll be going into it with your eyes wide open, and that’s what matters most.

Did you find this helpful? Are you planning a move abroad? Work with me to make your move from a place of clarity and organization.