Originally Posted by Lechtenberg (Post 11939817)

Just an update to my previous posts regarding the WEP provision where the US gov. takes a chunk out of your Soc. security because you get a British pension. Next year when my husband gets his S.S. Pension I know I can claim half of his as its so much more than mine. However, I've been knformed by the S.S. Office that they will still deduct $200 from the amount I get to allow for the "windfall" I received for twelves years of work in England.
My husband will get his full amount as he has worked for the requisite amount of quarters and had paid SS tax on all of them.

Originally Posted by lansbury (Post 11939828)

As an example. If you currently receive $500 less $200 WEP for a total of $300, when your husband retires if he receives $2000 your pension is calculated like this.

Your own $500 less $200 WEP plus $700 based on your husbands pension to give you 50% of his. The final amount you receive will be 50% of your spouses pension. If they tell you otherwise dispute it. The final amount of a spouse pension is not subject to WEP. My spouse pension is not subject to WEP I receive the full amount.

Originally Posted by Lechtenberg (Post 11939838)

I'm sorry I not sure if I'm understanding you correctly. Are you saying. If my husband gets $2000 half of that would be $1000. If I got $500 and they took $200 leaving me $300, then they'd give me the extra $700 to make it up to $1000 which is half my husbands SS. So I should watch out that they don't try to to give me half of my husbands amount i.e $1000 and then deduct $200 leaving me with only $800.

Originally Posted by lansbury (Post 11939871)

Yes that is what I was saying.

Originally Posted by Lechtenberg (Post 11929158)

Because they are detailed doesn't make them fair. I feel I'm caught up in a system designed to deal with others problems. Being aware of something doesn't make it right. Having worked to earn my money, paid all my taxes and paid into both countries pension systems. It definitely feels as if my contributions are being stolen. I realize a lot of ex pats don't report their pensions. I did and look where honesty got me.

Originally Posted by Disenchanted (Post 11909431)

A quick update, a work associate recently had a meeting with SSA and I asked him if he could ask if the above was true. He called me a couple of days ago and said that the SSA agent confirmed that he will not have WEP applied to his SS pension as long as he's not drawing his Civil Service pension. He turns 66 soon and will be drawing his SS pension.

Originally Posted by rogerpenycate (Post 11869375)

Cat SailorIf it helps, to get any sort of pension in the US it's necessary to work for 10 years, I'd done 13 years.Because I qualified for a full UK pension my US pension was basically cut in half PLUS the US taxed my UK pension which I'd deferred for a year. (They took about $1,500 out of my lump sum from the UK) and it's an ongoing thing, so my UK pension will be $900-$950 (subject to the exchange rate) less tax. Hope this helps.Some people have said they don't even declare their UK pension but that's a dangerous game.As you will know there's a lot of inter-agency information passed around and as I had already declared my UK pensionwhen I applied for my US Social Security, it may have raised a red flag if I hadn't declared it on my 2015 tax return.I also understand the penalties can be extremely HARSH if caught.

Originally Posted by scot47 (Post 11945533)

UK National insurance is based on "Contribution Years". US system is based on "Quarters"

Originally Posted by monkeybrains (Post 11979940)

Hi,first post to this forum.
I have read approx the first 20 or so posts regarding U.S SS payments to British citizens outside of the UK etc.
I worked and paid into the U.S SS system as a G/C holder from 1980 -2005,my G/C has now expired and my last presence in the U.S was 2007.

I am now coming up to my 65th Birthday,I have received my letter from the UK DWP requesting me to make my application to receive my UK state pension in Aug 2016.

I held off making application for my U.S SS payments but I intend to make application soon as I qualified for the reduced amount 3 years ago.

What would be the best way to initiate my first contact with the SSA and is there going to be a reduction in either one (or both) of the pensions because I will be receiving 2 pensions at the same time?
Thank you.

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 11979946)

It looks like you have contributed to US SS for 25 years, so you will likely have your SS payments reduced slightly under the Windfall Elimination Provision.

Be aware that you have the option to defer one or the other (UK SP or US SS) or both, and will receive an increased payment when you do finally claim.