Pension

[D&R 0]

Not 100% sure if this is the right forum for this, but I'll be moving on a K1 Visa, so here goes.

By the time I'm old enough to recieve my pension, I'm guessing I'd get a lesser amount than if I'd stayed here all my life. I heard something about making voluntary contributions still to the UK while living in America to ensure a 'full' pension is paid. (and I guess if it goes pear shaped and I have to come home - not that I'm planning on that!).

Does anyone know any info that could help me?

Would I still get my UK pension if I move to the USA?

Would I be eligable for a US state pension?

Thanks!!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

moved from K-1 forum to UK Regional Forum as more likely to get an answer here

[rebeccajo 14]

You can continue to contribute to your UK pension while abroad. In the past the amounts have been considered to be nominal - I do believe though the amounts are changing.

You must contribute 30 years to be eligible to draw. If you have not contributed a full thirty years, you may still draw the 'percentage' you contributed - ie if you worked 10 years, you would draw 1/3 of a standard pension.

You will be eligible for US Social Security after you have earned 40 quarters of work in the US. If your US spouse is working you draw credits from them as long as you are married. You also become eligible for Social Security after you naturalize (if you choose to do so).

The US and the UK have a tax treaty (totalization agreement) and when you retire, the two pensions can effectively be 'combined'. This gets a bit hairy though and you likely won't find good answers on the internet about how this works. It probably won't be necessary for most persons to do this unless they are moving over here after working many years in the UK and working a shorter period of time in the US. Your US Social Security office would contact your UK pension office (when you sign up for your retirement benefits) and make the calculations.

I would suggest a trip to your pension office before you move over if you have questions. We found them to be very helpful.

I should also add that continuing to pay into the UK system guarantees you immediate access to the NHS and other benefits should things ever go 'pear shaped' and you desire to return. Who knows - it may not take life going 'pear shaped' for that to be in your future. You and your US wife may both wish to someday reside in the UK.

Edited August 3, 2009 by rebeccajo

[D&R 0]

You can continue to contribute to your UK pension while abroad. In the past the amounts have been considered to be nominal - I do believe though the amounts are changing.

You must contribute 30 years to be eligible to draw. If you have not contributed a full thirty years, you may still draw the 'percentage' you contributed - ie if you worked 10 years, you would draw 1/3 of a standard pension.

You will be eligible for US Social Security after you have earned 40 quarters of work in the US. If your US spouse is working you draw credits from them as long as you are married. You also become eligible for Social Security after you naturalize (if you choose to do so).

The US and the UK have a tax treaty (totalization agreement) and when you retire, the two pensions can effectively be 'combined'. This gets a bit hairy though and you likely won't find good answers on the internet about how this works. It probably won't be necessary for most persons to do this unless they are moving over here after working many years in the UK and working a shorter period of time in the US. Your US Social Security office would contact your UK pension office (when you sign up for your retirement benefits) and make the calculations.

I would suggest a trip to your pension office before you move over if you have questions. We found them to be very helpful.

I should also add that continuing to pay into the UK system guarantees you immediate access to the NHS and other benefits should things ever go 'pear shaped' and you desire to return. Who knows - it may not take life going 'pear shaped' for that to be in your future. You and your US wife may both wish to someday reside in the UK.

Thanks... That's very helpful. You say that I'll be eligable for Social Security after 40 quarters of work and also if I naturalize.

Does that mean if a naturalize I would get it even without working the 40 quarters?

Not that I plan to not work or anything like that. In fact. that's one of the main things I worry about... no being able to get work out there. I think I'd like to naturalize anyway eventually but I'll cross that bridge at the time, I need to get there first. I'm the sort of person that wants to know what happens every step of the way before even starting the process. I don't think it's possible to plan too much!

[rebeccajo 14]

Does that mean if a naturalize I would get it even without working the 40 quarters?

Not that I plan to not work or anything like that. In fact. that's one of the main things I worry about... no being able to get work out there. I think I'd like to naturalize anyway eventually but I'll cross that bridge at the time, I need to get there first. I'm the sort of person that wants to know what happens every step of the way before even starting the process. I don't think it's possible to plan too much!

No, a person still has to accumulate 40 quarters to be eligible for pension benefits.

But you might be eligible for disability benefits sooner than 40 quarters with naturalization. Survivors benefits begin before accumulation of 40 quarters, naturalization or not.

[TayRivers 4]

Best way to find out what your NI contributions in the UK will give you is to send for a Pensions Forecast, it will explain to you what you would get when you retire based on your NI record now. It will also tell you about making Class 3 contributions to add to your NI record so that you get a full pension when you reach retirement age. You can get the forms to request the Pensions Forecast here, http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/state-...recast/home.asp

You do not need to be a Citizen of the US to get retirment benefits, If you have paid enough into the US SS system you will get those benefits if you are a LPR. Disability benefits again are not dependant on you becoming a US Citizen, If you have enough credits to qualify for SSI or SSDI then it does not matter is you are a USC or not.

[D&R 0]

Best way to find out what your NI contributions in the UK will give you is to send for a Pensions Forecast, it will explain to you what you would get when you retire based on your NI record now. It will also tell you about making Class 3 contributions to add to your NI record so that you get a full pension when you reach retirement age. You can get the forms to request the Pensions Forecast here, http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/state-...recast/home.asp

You do not need to be a Citizen of the US to get retirment benefits, If you have paid enough into the US SS system you will get those benefits if you are a LPR. Disability benefits again are not dependant on you becoming a US Citizen, If you have enough credits to qualify for SSI or SSDI then it does not matter is you are a USC or not.

Thanks!! I'm only 33 now, so I'm guessing it wouldn't be much at the moment. I'd be more concerned with how much I'd have to pay to ensure a 'full' pension when the time comes. I'd need to save up enough to cover me while I'm in the process of moving and finding work in Arizona. In time I'd want to be US citizen anyway, regardless of what benefits this gives me.