Visibility and access - Why knowing your financial plans is essential
1st August 2025
You might be surprised at just how many expats come to us with limited or even zero visibility of their existing financial arrangements. More often than not, when we ask potential clients about their current pensions, bonds, or other investment plans, the responses we receive range from vague recollections to outright uncertainty. And honestly, that's understandable, especially if your plans were set up years ago or scattered across different countries.
But here’s the reality check: not knowing exactly what you have, how much it's worth, or even where it’s invested is more than just inconvenient; it could seriously jeopardise your financial future.
One of the first and most valuable stages of the financial planning process we undertake at Brigantia is simply bringing clarity to your existing financial landscape. This investigatory stage alone can add substantial value by highlighting exactly what you own, identifying where it’s held, and critically assessing how it aligns with your long-term financial goals.
Think about this for a moment: do you genuinely know what’s happening with that pension you started decades ago? Many UK expats have old workplace pensions they've just left alone, often for years. How about that offshore bond an adviser persuaded you to buy in a country you no longer live in? Unless you're among the rare few who actively track every aspect of your financial affairs (and if you are, congratulations, you’re firmly in the minority), chances are you're uncertain at best.
One of the first and most valuable stages of the financial planning process we undertake at Brigantia is simply bringing clarity to your existing financial landscape. This investigatory stage alone can add substantial value by highlighting exactly what you own, identifying where it’s held, and critically assessing how it aligns with your long-term financial goals.
Think about this for a moment: do you genuinely know what’s happening with that pension you started decades ago? Many UK expats have old workplace pensions they've just left alone, often for years. How about that offshore bond an adviser persuaded you to buy in a country you no longer live in? Unless you're among the rare few who actively track every aspect of your financial affairs (and if you are, congratulations, you’re firmly in the minority), chances are you're uncertain at best.
There’s immense value just in having the peace of mind that comes from clarity and visibility. Knowing precisely what you have enables you to make informed decisions, consolidate where it makes sense, and streamline your financial plans to ensure every piece fits together and actively contributes towards your long-term objectives.
Fortunately, the world has changed. The digital age has transformed how financial plans are managed, and most modern investment platforms provide 24/7 online access to view performance, values, and crucial information about your assets. Gone are the days when you had to wait months, or even years, for your adviser to provide updates. Today, having continuous access should be standard. If your current arrangements don’t provide this level of transparency, it's high time to ask why.
We understand that finances might not always be at the forefront of your mind, especially with the complexities of life abroad. But here’s the crucial point: neglecting visibility and access can lead to significant consequences down the road. By the time you realise something’s not right, correcting course could be difficult, costly, or even impossible.
It’s a simple message, but an important one: take control, gain clarity, and insist on visibility. Your financial future deserves no less.
Fortunately, the world has changed. The digital age has transformed how financial plans are managed, and most modern investment platforms provide 24/7 online access to view performance, values, and crucial information about your assets. Gone are the days when you had to wait months, or even years, for your adviser to provide updates. Today, having continuous access should be standard. If your current arrangements don’t provide this level of transparency, it's high time to ask why.
We understand that finances might not always be at the forefront of your mind, especially with the complexities of life abroad. But here’s the crucial point: neglecting visibility and access can lead to significant consequences down the road. By the time you realise something’s not right, correcting course could be difficult, costly, or even impossible.
It’s a simple message, but an important one: take control, gain clarity, and insist on visibility. Your financial future deserves no less.