The importance of financial planning in overseas assignments

Yet in this conversation with Caitlin Pyett, global mobility expert, we hear how assignees and people on permanent transfers can find themselves worse off financially because of the complications of tax, currency fluctuations and lost savings and pensions allowances. This is often something which neither they, nor their colleagues and employer would expect, since
the historical image of an overseas assignment is one in which the assignee is handsomely
remunerated. Yet with cuts to budgets within organisations, and the rise of lump sum
provision for assignees, this is often no longer the case. In some cases, employers are
having to step in to help out staff who have made poor financial decisions and are
struggling to cope financially.

In this conversation we hear how the complexities of pension provision and tax
considerations can materially affect long-term wealth and how for expats, retirement
planning is rarely straightforward. While global mobility has become an important part of
many professional careers, and international assignments provide leadership development,
global experience and higher earning potential, these opportunities can also create financial
complexity, particularly for women.

Caitlin Pyett has more than 29 years in global mobility, and as well as her professional
experience, has moved many times for global assignments. Having lived in Singapore for 14
years, she has real lived experiences of all these challenges. On a professional level, she has
experience across operations, policy and strategy, both in-house and vendor roles for global
mobility. She has worked internationally for the last 14 years in London, Singapore and
Hong Kong. A recognised thought leader in the industry, her articles and research are
published widely and featured in Forbes, the FT and The Telegraph. Caitlin is now an
independent Consultant for international HR and mobility issues, aiming to help companies
find their ‘North Star” of mobility, providing strategic guidance and practical advice on all
aspects of international work.

The importance of planning for financial wellbeing

In this conversation, Marianne Curphey, journalist at Relocate Global, and Caitlin Pyett
explore how taxation, pension contributions, career breaks and repatriation can affect

financial security when working abroad. Caitlin reveals her research which has uncovered
the extent of financial stress experienced by assignees. Many feel unable to discuss financial
matters with their employers and yet are suffering high levels of distress, which affects their
relationships and workplace productivity.
For example, an employee may become tax resident in another country, contribute to a
different pension system, or experience exchange-rate fluctuations affecting income and
savings. For women who may already experience career interruptions or pay gaps, these
financial challenges can have long-term consequences. Caitlin shares her own experience of
moving from Hong Kong to Singapore and being forced to take a career break, and the
effect that had on her financial wellbeing.
Pension planning and currency fluctuations are frequently overlooked when employees
accept international assignments, but interruptions in pension contributions can reduce
retirement income significantly over time. As women also experience the gender pay gap,
this can compound over a woman’s working life.
Caitlin reveals her top tips for financial resilience when preparing to move overseas, when
working on assignment, and when planning to repatriate. She shares her personal
experience of flying between countries while trying to care for elderly parents, and the
steps she is taking two years ahead of her planned repatriation from Singapore, where she
currently lives, to the UK. In this conversation, she and Marianne discuss how in this volatile
political climate, having funds to be able to fly home are essential, and keeping up with tax
and financial changes in your home country, or the jurisdiction where you are planning to
retire, is a very important part of life and career planning.

Caitlin is one of Relocate Global’s Outstanding Global Women and you can read about her long and varied career in global mobility here. You can read about our events and coverage of International Women’s Day 2026 in our special section here. We also have amazing resources and factsheets on the opportunities and challenges of assignments, and the issues around remote and hybrid working, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion,
talent and career management, working across cultures and ESG. Read more about how financial wellbeing can be a tool for personal and professional productivity in Marianne Curphey’s article here, and discover how employers can support their staff professionally and in terms of retirement planning in late career initiatives here.