Readers' forum : Retirement planning

My clients are a married couple in their early 50s. They are UK resident and domiciled although they have worked in Australia in the past. They intend to retire to France in two to three years and live there full time. They expect to visit the UK for three to four weeks a year to see family and friends but will not have a permanent home here. They will receive a number of pensions from their former UK and Australian employers as well as some property and investment income.

I would appreciate Taxation readers’ advice on pre-retirement planning particularly on the following points.

First should they take their 25% tax-free pension lump sums before retiring – I understand that these would otherwise be fully taxable in France?

Second should they sell their UK tax-efficient savings products (such as ISAs and premium bonds) before moving to France? Are...