Frequently asked questions

Sale proceeds of Indian property go into your NRO account. To repatriate them to the US you use the USD 1 million per financial year NRO limit and file Forms 15CA and 15CB certifying Indian taxes were…Read more

No. As of 2026 there is still no totalization agreement in force between the United States and India, despite years of discussion. The Social Security Administration lists the countries that do have a…Read more

Generally no. US Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA) are not refundable simply because you leave the country before earning the 40 credits needed to draw a benefit; the money is not a personal a…Read more

In most cases yes. The Social Security Administration pays retirement benefits to eligible people living abroad, and India is on the list of countries where the SSA can send payments, so an Indian cit…Read more

You have three main paths. First, leave it invested in the US plan or roll it to a US IRA and let it grow until retirement; the account can stay in the US even after you become an Indian resident, and…Read more

Once you're a resident (and eventually 'resident and ordinarily resident') under Indian law, India taxes your worldwide income, which includes distributions from US retirement accounts. So a 401(k) or…Read more

This is a well-known trap. In the US, qualified Roth IRA withdrawals are completely tax-free because you contributed after-tax dollars. India, however, has no equivalent concept in its tax law and may…Read more

Rather than a single large transfer, most cross-border planners suggest a phased approach tied to your tax situation. Sell US taxable-account positions strategically to manage capital gains, ideally u…Read more

Two problems arise. First, most US brokerages restrict or close accounts held by non-US residents; many won't accept new purchases once your address is in India, and some require you to liquidate or t…Read more

Run the numbers on both the US and India sides. If you sell within the ownership-and-use window, the US home-sale exclusion can shield up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 married filing jointly), a benef…Read more

A Resident Foreign Currency account is designed exactly for people moving back to India after being non-resident. When you return and lose NRI status, you can no longer hold NRE or FCNR accounts, but…Read more

A simple starting point is the DIME method: total your Debt (all personal debts), Income replacement (10× your annual income), Mortgage balance, and Education costs for children. That sum is your init…Read more

A simple starting point is the DIME method: total your Debt (all personal debts), Income replacement (10× your annual income), Mortgage balance, and Education costs for children. That sum is your init…Read more

Disability insurance replaces a portion of your income (typically 60–70%) if you become unable to work due to illness or injury. Your ability to earn income is your most valuable financial asset — for…Read more

Disability insurance replaces a portion of your income (typically 60–70%) if you become unable to work due to illness or injury. Your ability to earn income is your most valuable financial asset — for…Read more

Term life covers you for a set period — 10, 20, or 30 years — and pays out only if you die during that window. It's pure protection with no savings component, which makes it by far the cheapest. Whole…Read more

For most people, no — it's better thought of as insurance with a slow savings account attached, not an investment. The cash value in a whole life policy typically grows at a low guaranteed rate (often…Read more

Cash value is a savings component inside permanent policies (whole and universal life) that grows tax-deferred over time. Part of each premium pays for the actual insurance, part covers fees, and the…Read more

A policy loan lets you borrow against the cash value of a permanent life insurance policy without a credit check or fixed repayment schedule. The insurer charges interest (often 5–8%), and you don't h…Read more

Laddering means buying several term policies of different lengths instead of one big policy, so your coverage shrinks as your need for it does. For example, instead of a single $1.5 million 30-year po…Read more

You need life insurance if someone would suffer financially when you die. That's the whole test. The clearest cases: parents with children at home, a spouse who relies on your income, a co-signer on y…Read more

Usually not much, but there are real exceptions. If you're single, debt-free, and nobody depends on your income, the case for life insurance is weak — your debts die with you, and federal student loan…Read more

Yes — a stay-at-home parent often needs substantial coverage even without a paycheck. If they died, the surviving partner would face real costs to replace what that parent provides: childcare, after-s…Read more

Match the term length to how long people will depend on you financially. Choose a 30-year term if you have young children, a new 30-year mortgage, or a long runway until financial independence — you w…Read more

Educational disclaimer: All content on WealthSerene.com is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Projections and calculations are illustrative — actual results will vary based on market conditions, your specific situation, and many factors outside this tool’s scope. Always consult a qualified financial professional for advice specific to your situation. View full disclosures →