THE EXPATS’ GUIDE TO MANAGING YOUR U.S. 401(K)
This guide is designed to help you understand what that 401(k) is, what your choices are, and how to start getting back in control of your U.S. retirement savings from overseas.
What is inside the Guide?
In This Guide, You’ll Learn:
- Who this Guide is for
- What a 401(k) is and why it still matters when you Live Abroad
- What happens to your 401(k) when you move Overseas
- Your main 401(k) options as an Expat
- How to find an Old or “Lost” 401(k)
- How a 401(k) Rollover to an IRA works
- Tax basics for Expats with U.S. Retirement Accounts
- Common mistakes Expats make with their 401(k)
- Case Study: Sarah, an Expat who took control of her 401(k)
- 30-Day Action checklist for Expats
- How American Expat Advisors can help you connect with a U.S.-Licensed Advisor
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Keeping track of your 401(k) is part of taking care of your future self.
What You Need To Know
If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S.-connected person living abroad, you may have one or more 401(k) plans sitting in the United States. Maybe you left a job years ago and never looked at the account again.
This guide is designed to help you understand what that 401(k) is, what your choices are, and how to start getting back in control of your U.S. retirement savings from overseas.
You're armed with awareness—and you don’t have to figure this out alone.
How American Expat Advisors Can Help
American Expat Advisors (AEA) is not a financial advisory firm. We do not manage money and we do not give personalized financial advice. Instead, we focus on education and connection.
Our role in your journey:
- We create guides and resources to help you understand common issues like old 401(k)s, IRAs, and cross-border planning.
- When you are ready, we help you connect with independent U.S. -licensed financial advisors who have experience working with Americans and U.S. -connected individuals living abroad.
What “getting matched” can look like:
- 1. You complete a short online form that asks about your location, basic situation, and what you are looking for.
- 2. Based on your answers, we introduce you to one or more U.S. -licensed advisors who are better suited to your needs.
- 3. You decide whether to speak with them. You are not required to work with anyone.
This matching process is designed to save you time and reduce the stress of trying to guess which advisor understands your cross-border reality.
401(k) Guide
Download the Guide
Disclosure: American Expat Advisors is an educational and marketing platform. We are not a licensed financial advisory firm. We refer individuals to independent U.S.- licensed financial advisors who specialize in serving Americans living abroad. We do not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional regarding your individual situation.
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