How an Advisor Helps U.S. Expats Navigate Taxes, Planning

Additionally, many overseas financial institutions limit services to U.S. citizens due to regulatory complexities, impacting investment and retirement plan choices. When planning for retirement, expats must consider how foreign pension systems integrate with U.S. retirement accounts, how currency fluctuations might affect their savings and how future repatriation or residency changes influence their long-term strategies.

Where do most of your clients live? How big is your firm in employees, clients and assets?

My client base is divided between U.S. clients preparing for an international move and families already living abroad, particularly in Switzerland. We also serve U.S. expats across the European continent. Our team is intentionally small to provide a highly personalized experience: we partner with a U.S.-based investment manager, and I have two paraplanners in Europe who offer support with U.S. tax considerations and cross-border planning.

Recruiting professionals who both understand the technicalities of international finance and have personally experienced life in multiple countries is a core value for our firm.

As a specialized boutique advisory practice, we maintain a lean structure to ensure our clients receive the careful attention and tailored guidance they deserve. Consequently, we often work from a waitlist, prioritizing quality of service, deep relationships and custom solutions.

Are your clients mostly high-net-worth people? From particular professions, geographic regions, age groups?

My clients generally have more complex financial situations that often correlate with a higher income and/or higher net worth. However, I don’t exclusively work with those who are already wealthy. A significant portion of my client base includes individuals often referred to as “HENRYs” (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) — especially tech employees with equity compensation who are on track to build considerable wealth over time.

My clients span various professions, including corporate executives, entrepreneurs, academics and professionals in tech and finance. Age ranges vary, but many are mid-career individuals or families navigating the unique challenges of international living while actively shaping their long-term financial futures.

Are there many U.S. expat advisors like you?

While the market is growing, the number of advisors specializing exclusively in U.S. expat financial planning remains relatively small. Navigating multiple tax and legal systems, combined with regulatory complexities, makes this a niche area requiring deep expertise. As global mobility increases, more advisors are beginning to explore this specialization, but true experts remain rare.

In my practice, I often refer clients to other specialists who focus on specific countries or regions rather than generalists. I believe it’s more valuable to collaborate with professionals who have in-depth knowledge of a particular market, ensuring clients receive the most accurate and tailored guidance possible rather than working with someone who tries to be all things to all people.

Are you seeing accelerated interest in emigration now? What reasons do people usually give for wanting to live overseas?

Yes, I am seeing increased interest in international moves, especially after the most recent election. The traffic on my website and inquiries for support jumped to an overwhelming level.

Clients cite various reasons for relocating abroad, including career opportunities, lifestyle improvement, lower cost of living, access to high-quality health care and education, a desire for cultural enrichment, political or economic stability, and the appeal of diversifying their life experience.

Many clients also view living overseas as a chance to gain a fresh perspective on their priorities and financial goals. I know (in) my own personal situation, I had always wanted to move abroad; seeing a different pace and way of life has made me continue (to) explore building a life abroad.