Retirement Planning: Why Waiting Could Seriously Impact Your Retirement
For some, retirement feels a lifetime away. For others, it’s right around the corner. Yet, whether you’re 30, 50, or already considering slowing down, one truth is becoming harder to ignore: most people are not saving enough for retirement. According to the BlackRock Read on Retirement 2024 survey, 50% of UK Defined Contribution pension holders […]
How Expats Can Avoid Unnecessary UK Pension Tax With an NT Code
For many British expatriates, moving abroad represents a new chapter of life — whether that’s enjoying retirement in the Algarve, building a career in Dubai, or relocating to the United States. But while your lifestyle may change, one thing that often follows you is your UK pension. Unfortunately, thousands of expats continue to pay UK […]
Is It Time to Bring Your QROPS Back to the UK?
For many years, Qualifying Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS) played a central role in cross-border retirement planning. They were created to help UK nationals who moved abroad take their pensions with them and, in certain circumstances, offered advantages that UK pensions did not. But much has changed since QROPS were first introduced in 2006. Over the […]
Forgotten Pensions: Why Expats Shouldn’t Overlook Them
For many British expatriates, pensions represent one of the largest parts of their wealth. Yet thousands of expats unknowingly leave retirement savings scattered across multiple schemes — some forgotten, some underperforming, others eroded by unnecessary fees. Since the UK’s auto-enrolment rules were introduced in 2012, millions of workers have been automatically enrolled in workplace pensions. […]
Financial Procrastination: The Hidden Threat to Your Wealth
When people think about why financial plans fail, they often imagine complex maths, volatile stock markets, or a lack of investment options. The truth is far simpler — and far harder to admit. The biggest threat to your financial future isn’t external. It sits between your ears. Human nature, more than market conditions, derails even […]
How to Move to Gibraltar Under Category 2 (CAT2) Residency
Gibraltar continues to be one of Europe’s most attractive jurisdictions for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) seeking tax efficiency, lifestyle benefits, and British legal certainty within a Mediterranean setting. Through the Category 2 (CAT2) residency regime, individuals can legally reside in Gibraltar while benefiting from a low-tax environment that excludes worldwide income from taxation. At Blacktower Financial […]
Moving to Spain? Your Financial Planning Guide for 2025
Whether you’re preparing to relocate or have recently made the move, choosing Spain as your new home is a decision that brings not only lifestyle advantages—sunshine, culture, and a relaxed pace of life—but also important financial considerations. Relocating to a new country can significantly change your tax obligations, investment options, and estate planning priorities. The […]
Will Your Finances Support the Retirement You Want? Ask These 5 Key Questions
As life expectancy continues to rise, retirement planning is no longer just about reaching a specific age—it’s about ensuring your wealth can sustain the lifestyle you want, for as long as you need it. Whether you’ve already retired or are approaching retirement abroad, careful planning around pensions, savings, investments and taxation can help protect your […]