American Expat Investing - Walkner Condon Financial Advisors

07/16/2026

🇯🇵 Retiring in Japan? Your IRA and 401(k) Might Work Better Than You Think

If you're an American living in (or considering a move to) Japan, understanding how your U.S. retirement accounts get taxed there is critical — and the news is better than most expats assume.

Under the U.S.-Japan tax treaty, your IRAs and 401(k)s are generally treated as "pension funds," meaning no Japanese tax on investment growth until you withdraw. Even better, distributions often qualify for generous Japanese deductions (like the public pension deduction or a 50% retirement income deduction) that can meaningfully soften your tax bill.

There are wrinkles, though — especially for Roth IRAs, which lose their tax-free status in Japan's eyes. 🧩

Our latest blog breaks down exactly how the two systems interact, what "lump sum" really means in Japanese tax law, and why planning ahead (not just at retirement) makes all the difference. Read the full post 👇

Navigating the complex world of IRAs and 401(k)s under Japanese tax law doesn't have to be a headache. The expat team at Walkner Condon breaks down what you need to know.

06/30/2026

Moving to Japan? 🇯🇵

Before you fall in love with Tokyo, know this: Japan's tax rules have a built-in cliff.

→ Your first 5 years, Japan only taxes Japan-source income.
→ Day one of year 6, Japan starts taxing your WORLDWIDE income — U.S. dividends, capital gains, rentals, all of it.
→ Stay past 5 years with $630K+ in assets, and Japan can tax you on unrealized gains just for leaving.

And remember, the U.S. still taxes your worldwide income the whole time too.

Bottom line: how long you plan to stay changes your tax picture completely. Plan ahead, not after.

Full breakdown here:
https://usexpatinvesting.com/blog/japan-us-expat-tax-five-year-rule/

04/27/2026

Nobody talks about the hard parts of retirement.

Not the money stuff — the "who am I now?" stuff.

The moment someone asks what you do and you don't have an answer. The friends you lose when you leave the office. The anxiety of watching your balance go down for the first time in your life.

In a recent episode of Gimme Some Truth, Nate Condon and Clint Walkner get into the retirement topics most financial advisors skip — the identity shifts, the emotional weight, and why the distribution phase is the most complex part of financial planning.

Whether you're 10 years out or stepping into retirement now, this one's worth a watch.

🎥 Watch now ⬇️

Why Retirement Is Harder Than You Think: Emotional & Financial Realities Explained

04/21/2026

Big Shifts in Portugal: NHR 2.0 Approvals & Citizenship Reform!

As we head into the weekend, there are big updates for the expat and investor community in Portugal! We finally have clarity on the "what’s next" for residency and tax optimization.

On March 31, the Portuguese tax authority released the first wave of NHR 2.0 approvals, confirming that the new merit-based tax exemptions for startup roles and certified activities are officially in motion.

However, Parliament also voted on a Nationality Reform Bill that could change the game for many:

➡️ Citizenship Timeline: Potential move from 5 years to 10 years.
➡️ The "Clock" Reset: Eligibility may now start from the date of your first residence card, rather than your Golden Visa application date, a major shift for 2021–2024 applicants.

In our most recent Gimme Some Truth podcast, Nate Condon and Stan Farmer, CFP® are joined by Zeev Fisher from Fresh Portugal for an in-depth breakdown. They dive into the merit-based requirements and exactly how to navigate these processing delays if you're planning a move in 2026.

https://youtu.be/fm8qlyfzeAU

🇵🇹 Portugal just made two major moves in one week — and if you're pursuing residency, a Golden Visa, NHR 2.0 tax status, or citizenship, you need to hear t...