Should Your American Assets Stay in the United States?
By Douglas Goldstein, CFP® - helping olim handle U.S., IRA, investment, and brokerage accounts from Israel
When making aliya, many olim move their American assets to Israel and convert all their dollars to shekels. However, there is a strong case to be made for leaving your dollars in America. Here’s why:
Efficiency
U.S. securities markets may still be the most efficient, and individual-investor friendly in the world. You can have a diversified basket of global assets within a “regular” U.S. brokerage account, and do it cost effectively. America has an established market, with steady government regulations and investor protection programs like SIPC, protecting the investor and his assets.
Diversification
A U.S. brokerage account can host a variety of investment vehicles in American or global companies. Furthermore, you can have checks, debit cards, and other instant access to your funds, even if you are an ocean away.
Mutual funds
Mutual funds are an easy way to spread risk among different stocks and bonds. They are one of the most popular investment vehicles, both for beginning and professional investors, and they come in many forms, including “Exchange Traded Funds” (ETFs).
Uncle Sam’s bureaucracy
Having the majority of your financial investments in the United States means it might be simpler to file an FBAR, as there will be fewer foreign institutions and accounts to report. Having U.S. compliant accounts makes it easier to meet all your reporting requirements.
Cross-border expertise
Make sure your advisor is licensed in both the United States and Israel, and has experience dealing with issues that you are facing.
Free Toolkit
For more about having a U.S. brokerage account from Israel, download the most comprehensive, simple-to-use guide, “Toolkit for Opening U.S. Brokerage Accounts from Overseas” at www.Profile-Financial.com/toolkit.
Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation about handling your U.S. investments from Israel. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.