If you’ve built wealth overseas but still have ties to the UK, you might be wondering how to make your money work harder, without losing touch with your UK investments or tax efficiency.

Here’s where a SSAS (Small Self-Administered Scheme) comes in. It’s one of the UK’s most flexible pension tools and one that many expats don’t realise they can still benefit from, even while living abroad.

At GoldHouse, we help UK expats and Dubai-based investors use SSAS pensions to grow wealth, invest in UK property and protect their legacy, all within HMRC rules. Here’s how it works.

The Pension Tool You Didn’t Know You Could Use Abroad

A SSAS is a company pension scheme typically set up by directors of limited companies but its benefits go far beyond traditional retirement planning.

Unlike standard pensions, a SSAS gives you control over how funds are invested, including the ability to:

• Purchase UK commercial property
• Lend funds back to your business (via a SSAS loanback)
• Pool contributions with family or business partners
• Grow funds tax-free within the pension

For expats who still have business or investment interests in the UK, a SSAS can be a powerful bridge between international living and UK wealth-building.

What Is a SSAS and Who Can Set One Up?

A SSAS is designed for UK-registered companies, typically owned by directors or family members. It allows each member to act as a trustee, giving you full visibility and control over your retirement fund.

Even if you’re based overseas, you can set up or maintain a SSAS as long as your company remains registered in the UK. The scheme is regulated by HMRC, meaning contributions, withdrawals and investments must follow their rules.

This flexibility makes SSAS particularly attractive for UK entrepreneurs who have relocated abroad but still trade, invest or hold property through UK entities.

Can Expats Be Trustees? What Are the Rules?

Yes, expats can be trustees of their SSAS. However, the scheme must remain compliant under UK tax and pension legislation and you’ll need a professional trustee or scheme administrator (like GoldHouse) to handle reporting and HMRC liaison.

We help clients navigate:

• Non-resident trustee obligations
• Cross-border compliance and record-keeping
• Ongoing reporting to The Pensions Regulator and HMRC

It’s essential to ensure UK residency rules don’t trigger unexpected tax consequences, especially if your SSAS invests in UK assets.

Using SSAS to Invest in UK Property or Your UK Business

For expats, one of the biggest attractions of SSAS is the ability to use pension funds for UK investments.

You can:

• Buy UK commercial property directly through the pension
• Lease it back to your company (with rent paid into your pension)
• Lend up to 50% of the SSAS fund value back to your business through a loanback

These strategies allow you to grow your UK portfolio tax-efficiently while still living and working abroad.

Tax Benefits for Expats Using SSAS

The SSAS is an incredibly tax-efficient tool for international entrepreneurs:

• Contributions are tax-deductible for your UK company
• Growth within the SSAS is tax-free
• Rent paid to the pension (if it owns property) is tax-free income
• No Capital Gains Tax on asset disposals inside the scheme

Even as a non-resident, you can benefit from the scheme’s structure but it’s crucial to manage residency, double taxation and reporting properly.

Managing Contributions While Living Overseas

If you’re an expat director of a UK company, your business can still make pension contributions to your SSAS. However, your personal contributions may depend on your tax residency and UK earnings.

We help expats:

• Align contributions with UK corporate profits
• Avoid overfunding or triggering contribution limits
• Keep SSAS administration compliant across borders

Our team ensures you don’t lose tax benefits due to international status.

Long-Term Planning: Retirement, Legacy and Exit Strategy

A SSAS isn’t just about investment, it’s about long-term wealth protection.

Funds within the scheme can be passed on outside of your estate, helping you avoid Inheritance Tax and build a multi-generational pension trust that benefits your family.

For expats planning eventual retirement or a UK return, this provides both flexibility and peace of mind.

Is SSAS Right for Expats?

If you’re living abroad but still own UK businesses, properties or want to future-proof your pension, SSAS could be one of the most strategic tools in your wealth-building plan.

At GoldHouse, we specialise in helping expats and UK-Dubai entrepreneurs set up and manage SSAS pensions for maximum benefit, combining tax efficiency, compliance and long-term legacy planning.

Ready to make your money work smarter from anywhere in the world?

Speak to a GoldHouse SSAS specialist today and discover how to protect your wealth, invest tax-efficiently and build a pension that supports your global lifestyle.