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How to Bring your US Retirement Accounts (e.g. 401(k), IRAs) Home to Australia in 2026
Learn about bringing US retirement accounts to Australia. Topics include tax treatment, transfer implications, strategic timing, investment options, ongoing US tax obligations, and common pitfalls.
Ashley Murphy, CFP® GFP Fellow, is a tri-citizen of the USA, Australia and the UK. He is the founder and Principal of Arete Wealth Strategists Australia, a fee-only, SEC Registered Investment Advisor providing financial planning and investment management firm for Australian/American expatriates in the United States and Australia. Ashley is also the Co-founder and Executive Director of the Global Financial Planning (GFP) Institute. The GFP Institute provides community, tools, and education for fiduciary financial advisors working with clients whose financial lives cross borders.
From 2014 - 2017, Ashley taught in the CFP programs at UC Berkeley Extension and Golden Gate University. He served as a Knowledge Circle host for the Financial Planning Association's International and Cross-Border Knowledge Circle (2017 - 2019), and is a regular conference speaker. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning in Australia making him one of the few financial advisors qualified in multiple countries. Ashley has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and profiled in Financial Advisor Magazine.
Ashley lives with his wife Eliza, and daughters Elise & Jasmine in Minneapolis, MN. He enjoys cycling, reading and world travel. He is a futurist with interests in architecture, renewable energy and demographics.
In this session, we’ll explore practical and compliant strategies for Australians returning home or already residing in Australia with US retirement accounts. Topics will include:
- How US retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, Roth, etc.) are treated under Australian tax law.
- The tax and currency implications of transferring or rolling over these funds.
- Strategic timing considerations for repatriation given 2026 market and exchange rate dynamics.
- Options for consolidating and investing these assets in Australia while maintaining compliance in both jurisdictions.
- Understanding ongoing US tax reporting obligations after your move.
- Common pitfalls, such as triggering US early withdrawal penalties or double taxation.
- Real-world case studies and planning frameworks for effective cross-border retirement asset management.
I hope you can join us!
Absolutely! These sessions are for you. Bring your questions and participate during the Q&A.
Not at all. These webinars are designed for all American Australian expats, not just clients of Arete.
It’s all good. We will record the webinar and send the recording link.
Certainly. Just give them this website address and ask them to register.