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Topic: 401k plan for remote worker  (Read 1430 times)

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401k plan for remote worker
« on: December 04, 2014, 03:04:14 PM »
I currently have a 401k plan through my US company,  but will soon be moving (end of January) to the UK and work remotely for my company.  For this, I will be self-employed and maintain a contract with my company.  I would like to keep my US bank account and continue with my direct deposit. 

Will I still be able to contribute to my 401K through my company?  What are the tax implications of this?

Bonus question: I've been wanting to set up an roth IRA... should I try to do this before I move?
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Re: 401k plan for remote worker
« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2014, 03:50:28 PM »
What will be your immigration status in the UK? ie. what makes you eligible to come to the UK and work?

As you will be a contractor, rather than an employee, of your previous employer, you won't be able to contribute to their 401k.

You will be self employed in the UK and will have to register with HMRC and pay UK tax, VAT and National Insurance etc. Assuming you are a US citizen you will have to pay US taxes, but not payroll tax ie FICA.

You should definitely set up a ROTH before you move. If you show earned income on your 1040 you can contribute to a ROTH, but you should look at your UK retirement savings options too.

I'd recommend that you open mutual fund, brokerage and maybe roll your 401k into an IRA with Vanguard before you leave as you need a US address to open an account with US investment firms.
« Last Edit: December 04, 2014, 03:52:36 PM by nun »


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Re: 401k plan for remote worker
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2014, 07:12:38 PM »
What will be your immigration status in the UK? ie. what makes you eligible to come to the UK and work?
I will be on a spouse visa; my wife will be working for a UK company.

Thanks for the advice!
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Re: 401k plan for remote worker
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2014, 07:16:38 PM »
I will be on a spouse visa; my wife will be working for a UK company.

Is your wife British, or will she be moving to the UK on a work visa?

A spousal visa is only for spouses of UK citizens living in the UK. If your wife is not a UK citizen, then you cannot qualify for a spousal visa.

If instead she will be moving to the UK on a work visa and you will be joining her, then you will have a dependant work visa.


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Re: 401k plan for remote worker
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2014, 09:22:17 PM »
Why do you think you will be self-employed? It is probably more likely you will be employed - you and the engager of your services will need to look at the laws of the country where you will be working, not the State and country where the employer is located.


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Re: 401k plan for remote worker
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2014, 08:18:44 PM »
Is your wife British, or will she be moving to the UK on a work visa?

A spousal visa is only for spouses of UK citizens living in the UK. If your wife is not a UK citizen, then you cannot qualify for a spousal visa.

If instead she will be moving to the UK on a work visa and you will be joining her, then you will have a dependant work visa.
She's moving on a work visa, so it will be a dependent work visa, not a spouse visa (sorry!)
Why do you think you will be self-employed? It is probably more likely you will be employed - you and the engager of your services will need to look at the laws of the country where you will be working, not the State and country where the employer is located.
My company does not have a presence in the UK.  My status with my company will change from employee to self employed contractor because of the move.  There are several other people at my company that work remotely this way.
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Re: 401k plan for remote worker
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2014, 08:27:56 PM »
She's moving on a work visa, so it will be a dependent work visa, not a spouse visa (sorry!)

No need to apologise, it's just that work dependant visas and spousal visas are very different animals with completely different requirements, and we don't want to accidentally give you any wrong advice regarding your move to the UK :).


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Re: 401k plan for remote worker
« Reply #7 on: December 05, 2014, 09:54:11 PM »
My company does not have a presence in the UK.  My status with my company will change from employee to self employed contractor because of the move.  There are several other people at my company that work remotely this way.

I think you should check the HMRC rules for being self employed.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/calcs/esi.htm


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Re: 401k plan for remote worker
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2015, 05:26:43 PM »
As it turns out I will establish myself as self-employed with my own company (Sole Trader) and maintain a contract with my current US based company for the work I will be doing. 

Right now I am wondering if will be better to have them deposit into a US or UK bank account.  Are there any restrictions on being paid into a US account?

I also read that I should make sure to opt out of US social security.  Any insights on this?
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Re: 401k plan for remote worker
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2015, 05:41:24 PM »
As it turns out I will establish myself as self-employed with my own company (Sole Trader) and maintain a contract with my current US based company for the work I will be doing. 

Right now I am wondering if will be better to have them deposit into a US or UK bank account.  Are there any restrictions on being paid into a US account?

I also read that I should make sure to opt out of US social security.  Any insights on this?

Make sure no payroll or income tax is taken out by your old US company. You should be just billing them and they pay you and then you deal with UK tax, NI etc yourself.


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