Expert advice: surviving the expat pension crackdown Through the Pensions Bill, the Government is seeking to withdraw state pension payments to expat spouses. They will continue to receive a state pension for National Insurance contributions they have made themselves, but not for contributions made by their spouse. Importantly, these changes, will only affect new claims made from 2016. People who are already living abroad and claiming will not be affected. However, combine this change with findings from our recent survey - showing that less than a third of retired expats believe their pension income is sufficient to support their desired lifestyle - and you have a pretty important reminder for future and current expats alike, to get serious about their pension planning. The golden rules of great pension planning are: Address shortfalls now Longer life expectancies have put pressure on both state and employer pension provision. We can no longer rely on the generous defined benefit pension promises of the past. If you think there could be a risk that you will face an income shortfall in retirement, put it right now and save while you have the opportunity. Take advice Your pension can be your biggest lifetime asset so always speak to a professional financial adviser before making any decisions. You might also want to consider taking specialist international tax advice on your personal situation, especially if you are moving around the world. Plan ahead If you are moving abroad, start thinking about your options at least six months before. Making changes to existing pension arrangements can take a while, especially if you are changing your address in parallel. Review current pensions The Government can provide you with a state pension forecast (www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension). It's also worth getting in touch with ex-employers to uncover any "frozen" pension arrangements. Each year, thousands of UK pension pots are forgotten by increasingly career-mobile owners. Consider future currency need Will your currency of income match that of your expenditure? If you need euros in retirement, you might want to consider saving in euros while you are still working. Consider specific international pension options Various arrangements exist to serve the needs of British nationals working or retiring abroad. Some overseas pension schemes have QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes) status and may be available to those planning to emigrate or live abroad for at least five complete tax years. Under this arrangement, pension investments and income can be denominated in an appropriate currency and existing UK pension assets can be transferred in where appropriate. QNUPS (Qualifying Non-UK Pension Schemes) are another international solution and may be suitable for those close to or above their UK pension allowances. Both arrangements provide good flexibility over when and how pension benefits can be taken and can simplify tax administration.