1 Reduce contributions without penalty (normally after an initial period of one to two years).

2 Switch investments between different funds to respond to changes in the market. Preferably including funds managed by other people outside of the institution zone.

3 Have the option of retiring when you want to without penalty.

4 Allow certain access to monies invested (again, after an initial period).

How to Find the RIGHT Offshore Savings Solution

Finding out what each provider's best products are currently, and then hand picking the best to suit your own personal needs and current circumstances is the best idea!

But how impractical!

Do you have the time to do this?

Would you consider yourself an expert in offshore investments and pension planning?

Where would you start?

Obviously professional advice will get you the right solution and save you time and money and reduce your cost of delay significantly!

Pension Surrender

Cashing in an onshore pension is rarely the best option available to you.

If you have taken out an offshore pension policy and you are unhappy with it or want to take a break from paying into it, consider all the options that are available to you before you decide on your path of action.

Generally with an offshore pension up to the first 2 years of contributions are committed to being invested until maturity meaning that if you cash in your policy early you will potentially be wiping hundreds or thousands off your potential returns.

This is money you would be literally THROWING away!

Instead of encashment could you take a payment holiday or change your investment focus?

Instead of encashment you HAVE to speak to a brokerage to find out what options are available to you and which options are BEST for you.

You do not have to speak to the adviser or brokerage who set up the initial policy for advice - a good independent financial adviser will be happy to assist you with any previous policies. Get Informed!

Simply put, if you haven't started your retirement planning or you want to check whether you need to do more or you want to find out what you can do with policies already in existence from company pensions, personal pensions and offshore pensions - you need to act now!

Find the right person to advise you about exactly what is available in the market place today.

Find the right person to get the best solution in place for you sooner rather than later!

Rhiannon Williamson is an experienced publisher who has produced articles for leading travel and tourism guides and financial magazines. Her specialist knowledge about both travel and finance gives her site Shelter Offshore the unique ability to literally cover every single aspect of moving & living abroad - including the often less discussed offshore tax advantages that can be available when leaving our homeland.