Planning for a Secure and Comfortable Retirement, Wherever Life Takes You
Retirement planning is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure long-term financial security, particularly if you have pensions or savings spread across multiple jurisdictions. At Blacktower, we create retirement strategies that are built to deliver flexibility, reliability, and peace of mind.
We understand the unique challenges that come with living and working abroad. Our advisers work closely with you to understand your goals, income needs, and global ties, creating a retirement plan that supports your lifestyle and adapts to change.
Across the Blacktower Financial Management Group, we have access to experienced pension specialists who can assist with even the most complex arrangements. Whether you’re accumulating savings or drawing down in retirement, we’ll help you make informed decisions at every stage.
Our Retirement Planning Services Include:
Pension Planning and Transfers
We help assess, structure, and where appropriate, transfer pensions held in the UK or overseas. Our team includes group-wide specialists with deep expertise in international pensions, including SIPPs, QROPS, and other retirement vehicles.
Income Planning
We help you build a retirement income strategy that balances reliability with flexibility. This includes planning around your tax residency, income sources, and changing income needs over time.
Cross-Border Structuring
If you have pensions, investments, or property in different countries, we ensure they’re structured efficiently to provide retirement income wherever you live — with clarity around tax exposure and access.
Sustainable Income Generation
We focus on strategies that generate a long-term, sustainable income during retirement to protect your purchasing power and preserve capital against inflation and market fluctuations.
Our advisers are here to guide you every step of the way, offering clear, objective advice that prioritises your best interests and long-term wealth creation.
Pension Vehicles
SIPP
A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) is simply a personal pension, but with wider investment powers.
An overseas pension transfer to a SIPP is an option for those living abroad, as well as those based in the UK, to go ahead with a pension transfer. If you transfer your benefits to a SIPP, the benefits will still be subject to UK pension regulations.
Find out more about SIPPs.
QROPS
A Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) is an international pension plan, which is often the preferred vehicle for international pension transfers.
If you transfer to a QROPS, the benefits broadly cease to be governed by UK pension regulations, although there are certain reporting and other requirements that must be met.
Find out more about QROPS.
QNUPS
A Qualified Non-UK Pension Scheme (QNUPS) is not a specific scheme or product – instead, it’s a term given to schemes that comply with the International Organisation in the UK International Organisations Act 1968 Section 1(a).
Offering a degree of flexibility, and free from the UK’s inheritance tax, anyone is eligible to invest in a QNUPS, provided their country of residence allows this.
These expat pension schemes enable you to hold assets in a variety of areas, including property, investments, fine wines, and art.
Find out more about QNUPS.
FAQs
Can I access my UK pension if I live abroad?
Yes, though how and when you can access it depends on the type of scheme and your current country of residence. We guide you through your options, ensuring any decisions align with your location and goals.
Do I need to transfer my pension?
Not always. A transfer may be beneficial, but it depends on your circumstances. We conduct a full review of your existing arrangements to determine whether a transfer is appropriate, and what structure suits you best.
Can I receive retirement income in a different currency?
Yes. We can help you draw your retirement income in currencies such as GBP, USD, EUR, or AED, depending on your location and expenditure to manage foreign exchange risks.
What happens if I move again during retirement?
Your retirement strategy should be built for flexibility. If you relocate to another country, we can help adjust your plan to reflect local regulations, tax rules, and access needs.
How do I know if I have enough to retire?
We use cashflow modelling to forecast your future income needs and map them against your current assets. This gives you a clear picture of how much you need and how long it will last.
Is it too late to make changes if I’ve already retired?
It’s never too late. Whether you’re already retired or planning ahead, we can help you adjust your strategy to improve sustainability and simplify your finances.
Get in Touch
For a personalised consultation and to discover how we can assist you in achieving your financial goals, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are prepared to help you navigate your financial future with confidence.
Disclaimer: Blacktower Financial Management (DIFC) Limited is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). We are authorised to provide financial services to both professional and retail clients. The information provided here is general and does not constitute personalised financial advice. Any pension transfer or investment decision should only be made following a detailed analysis and suitability assessment by a licensed financial adviser. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change. You should seek advice from a qualified tax adviser before making any decisions relating to taxation.