Benefits/Disadvantages of retaining British citizenship?

[ukcharlotte 4]

I know that we are unable to even consider obtaining US citizenship for years to come, but I was wondering what benefits/disadvantages you have found for retaining your British citizenship? Personally, I don't want to surrender my British citizenship, so would consider filing for joint citizenship so that my fiance and I could both travel on American passports, but are there any issues to consider when doing this? I guess I have some more precise questions, for example:

1. Will remaining a British citizen have any impact on what I am committed to in the UK? Will I have to pay taxes in both countries?

2. Will it affect what I am entitled to in the US up to the point of having dual citizenship?

3. Can I still return to the UK for NHS treatment if necessary? Dental, for example, when I visit my family back here?

4. What are the issues surrounding pensions? I have been working in the UK since I was 15 (so almost 13 years) so will I get a pension (if they still exist!) from the government if I retire in the US?

Sorry for all of the questions, I just want to know if I can retain my citizenship without it causing more problems than surrendering it later on.

Thanks!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

You don't have to give up your Btitish citizenship. They won't cross you off their roles if you become an American. No filing for dual required. People use their UK passport to enter the UK (I guess shorter lines and less questions??) Return to the US using US passport.

You can collect your pension and pay only US income tax on it...not in both countries. There's a tax treaty. No clue what the NHS rules are if you don't continue to contribute to it.

Edited April 21, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

You can't move away from Great Britain and continue to utilize the National Health Service.

http://www.expatmoneychannel.com/node/286

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/movingabroad/Pages/Livingabroad.aspx

At this point, you are only eligible for partial UK pension benefit, and if you never return to work in the UK, or don't make contributions to your UK pension, then you will never draw a full UK pension. If you continue to reside in the US long enough to qualify for US Social Security (40 quarters) then you don't need your UK pension to qualify for US benefits. If you reside in the US long enough to earn 120 quarters, you are exempt from Windfall Elimination. Only at this point would it be prudent tax wise to try and access your UK benefits. If your health fails and you must file for US Social Security and use your work in the UK to help qualify for US Social Security, your US benefits will be greatly reduced.

http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/uk.html#wep

You don't pay taxes in both countries just because you are a dual citizen. Even if you become a US citizen you will want to keep renewing your British passport as it gives you freedom of movement in the EU.

[Elora & Rob 15]

You don't have to give up your Btitish citizenship. They won't cross you off their roles if you become an American. No filing for dual required. People use their UK passport to enter the UK (I guess shorter lines and less questions??) Return to the US using US passport.

You can collect your pension and pay only US income tax on it...not in both countries. There's a tax treaty. No clue what the NHS rules are if you don't continue to contribute to it.

you have to pay NI for 33 years to collect a state pension.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

you have to pay NI for 33 years to collect a state pension.

I believe that is 30 years. For a full pension.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/StatePension/DG_10014671

Edited April 22, 2012 by Rebecca Jo

[ukcharlotte 4]

Thanks for the info guys! I ought to go back and mention to my NHS dentist that I am illegible for treatment when I visit the UK... she told me that I should remain on their books so that I could still get cheaper treatment!

[Pooky 3,828]

Thanks for the info guys! I ought to go back and mention to my NHS dentist that I am illegible for treatment when I visit the UK... she told me that I should remain on their books so that I could still get cheaper treatment!

Illegible for treatment?

The writing must surely be on the wall.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Edited April 28, 2012 by Pooky

[*julez* 124]

Illegible for treatment?

The writing must surely be on the wall.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Pooky, I think I love you!

[ukcharlotte 4]

Oh gosh, I'd like to think that that was an Ipad auto-correction but I can't be 100% sure!

Edited April 29, 2012 by ukcharlotte

[Pooky 3,828]

Oh gosh, I'd like to think that that was an Ipad auto-correction but I can't be 100% sure!

Try typing on an iPhone. I've never had to use the edit function so much in my life!

[Shari 6]

Good morning. I have not been on VJ for at least three years since my husband received his 10 year green card. Keith is from England and has been debating whether or not to get his US CItizenship because, like the poster, he does not want to renounce his UK citizenship. I know people have said you don't have to, but is there anything on any UK site that verifies this? He is so afraid if he goes through with this.

A couple reasons he would like to become a US citizien is that he has lived here for almost seven years now (married to me the whole time obviously) and plans to stay here, he has lost at least three job opportunities because he was not a US citizen (he used to have security clearance in the UK for his work), we would not have to reapply for his Permanent Resident card every 10 years, and if we wanted to go back to the UK for over 2 years, he could do it with a US Citizenship and not be restricted by time. Also, I am pretty sure if he becomes a US Citizen he is still guaranteed his full pension (he has put in 30 years in the UK) and will qualify for benefits in 12 years.

Again, my main concern is, is there any written documentation from a UK government site stating that a UK citizen can have dual US citizenship?

Thank you all very much!

P.S. It is 30 years for full pension in the UK and the age has changed to 66 for males. We have been in touch with the pension people in the UK in the last month.

P.P.S. Where does someone go to renew their UK passport? My husband's will expire in less than three years.