User Question 9:

we're only 55, so retirement is still 10 years away, but it sounds important. Please help

Claude's Response:

You're absolutely right - at 55, this is crucial timing for retirement planning, especially with an international move. The decisions you make in the next 2-3 years could save or cost you tens of thousands in taxes.

**Why This Is Critical Now:**At 55, you have a golden opportunity that many expats miss. Here's why this timing is crucial and the resources to help:

The Critical Opportunity: As an expat, you can potentially do tax-free Roth conversions by using the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) to shelter the conversion income. This is essentially "double-dipping" that the IRS allows, but only works if you have foreign earned income to offset the conversion.

Why Act Now (Before Moving):

• Once abroad, you can't contribute to your 401(k), but you CAN still do conversions
• Converting in your final US tax years might be cheaper than waiting
• Portugal taxes worldwide income once you're a tax resident
• The FEIE limit is $130,000 for 2025, potentially sheltering large conversions

Key Strategy Considerations:

1. Gradual Roth conversions over several years to manage tax brackets
2. Timing your move to maximize tax-free conversion opportunities
3. Understanding how Portugal will tax your future retirement distributions
4. Social Security planning - different countries treat SS benefits differently

Professional Resources You Need:

US Expat Tax Specialists (found in search):

• Bright!Tax - specializes in US expat taxation and has specific Portugal expertise
• Greenback Tax Services - comprehensive expat tax planning
• Creative Planning International - wealth management for expats with retirement focus
• Harrison Brook - US expat financial planning with Roth conversion expertise

What to Ask Them:

• Roth conversion timeline before moving
• Portugal vs France tax implications on retirement accounts
• Social Security optimization strategies
• Business income tax planning for your gîte

Immediate Next Steps:

1. Schedule consultations with 2-3 of these firms
2. Get your current 401(k) statements organized
3. Estimate your timeline for moving
4. Model different conversion scenarios

This isn't just important - it could literally save you $50,000-$100,000+ over your retirement. Would you like me to help you prepare questions for these consultations?