Principles of Investing for American Citizens Living in the UK: Introduction

Written by Kyle McClellan & Ollie Cutting

“Principles are ways of successfully dealing with reality to get what you want out of life” ~ Ray Dalio, CIO of Bridgewater Associates.

Beginning your investment journey as an American citizen living in the UK can seem daunting. Whether learning to drive on the opposite side of the road or clarifying how His Majesty will tax your US investments, living in the UK can pose a unique set of challenges. Without the guidance of an experienced advisor or a playbook for dealing with those challenges, it can be very easy to succumb to inertia when thinking about important financial decisions. That inertia, which could relate to restructuring inefficient investments or collapsing structures that are no longer fit for purpose, can compound the financial implications of those challenges and prevent US-connected families from adequately planning for their future.

Although these challenges may be complex and costly, they are all solvable and can present planning opportunities for the informed family.  In a world that provides an almost infinite supply of information to anyone with a smartphone, making the right decision about navigating some of these challenges can be overwhelming.  Instead of paving the way to structuring the ‘perfect’ portfolio or identifying the most effective tax planning strategy, we can inevitably fall prey to ‘analysis paralysis’ by attempting to incorporate every minute detail into a decision.  In our experience, those challenges can be successfully navigated by understanding and implementing the basic principles for investing as an American citizen living in the UK.

Kyle McClellan and Ollie Cutting, Wealth Managers at MASECO, have outlined a roadmap of some key principles you should familiarise yourself with before setting sail on your investment journey as an American living in the UK. Over the next few weeks, we will be releasing their seven ‘Principles of Investing’.

Please email masecocommunications@masecopw.com to receive a copy of our Principles of Investing whitepaper in advance. 

The Legal Stuff

This document may not be forwarded, copied or distributed without our prior written consent.  This document has been prepared by MASECO LLP for information purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax or any other type of advice and should not be construed as such. The information contained herein is subject to copyright with all rights reserved.

The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of MASECO as a whole or any part thereof.  All investments involve risk and may lose value. The value of your investment can go down depending upon market conditions and you may not get back the original amount invested. Your capital is always at risk.  Information about potential tax benefits is based on our understanding of current tax law and practice and may be subject to change.  The levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation is subject to change. The tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each person and may be subject to change in the future. MASECO Private Wealth is not a tax specialist.  We recommend that anyone considering investing seeks their own tax advice.

MASECO LLP (trading as MASECO Private Wealth and MASECO Institutional) is established as a limited liability partnership under the laws of England and Wales (Companies House No. OC337650) and has its registered office at Burleigh House, 357 Strand, London WC2R 0HS. The individual partners are Mr J E Matthews, Mr J R D Sellon, Mr A Benson, Mr D R B Dorman, Mr H Q A Findlater, Mr T Flonaes, Mr E A Howison and Ms A L Solana. Calls may be recorded for your protection and for training and monitoring purposes.

MASECO LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the conduct of investment business in the UK and is registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Advisor.