miniminx3

I want to come home. I have been living as a permanent resident in the USA for 15 years now where I got married. If my husband and I decide to live in England, can we draw from our US retirement funds when it comes time to retire? Also, will we be eligible the equivalent of social security upon retiring in England once we begin to work in England?

david28078

More or less a question I have too. I'm a Brit and my Missus is a Y... sorry American (of Cornish descent oi!)

We met in my pub in Bath England and just want to come back - Medicare and Medicaid is going to be a major PITA when we get to retiring.

David
Charlotte, NC via San Francisco, CA via Plymouth UK

miniminx3

I feel your pain. I would never have left dear old Blighty if I had known I would end up being gone for so long and it would be hard to get back.

I think we would be eligible for NHS once we have been living there for one year.

david28078

We're OK for NHS as soon as we get off the 'plane. My Missus was fine and she is an American Citizen - when she came to England in 92 she was signed up with a NI # and GP right away - free.....

miniminx3

If my husband is US Citizen, how do we get him legal - does he have to become a British Citizen or can I claim him?

Ozzidoc

Don't be so sure of that. Times have changed!

TruBrit

yep check out.....http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/passpor...n/immigration/

he needs an ILR stamp aka Indefinite Leave to Remain.... after 3 yrs he can apply for UK passport.

TruBrit

says who? how long have you lived out of the uk?

Elvira

It's actually correct. As long as the USC spouse has a spousal visa to live in the UK, s(he) will be covered from day one.

For all these relocation/immigration questions, www.uk-yankee.com is an invaluable resource.

david28078

They were OK in February when my Missus damaged her ankle everything was free, polite , pleasant and no bs.

We have had talks with our financial advisor and all will be well - I'm a Brit too and my Missus has leave to stay from the Home Office - we even have our old Doctor taking us back - so where did you get that gem of a statement?

BTW I also inquired about my MIL who is in her 70s and she qualifies same as my wife - it was even mentioned she would get a free bus pass........

david28078

13 years - Our Doc and Financial Advisor and Lawyer have all stated so too

TruBrit

i didn't know the usc spouse had a spousal visa.

Elvira

I assumed that as they were planning to live in the UK, they would obtain a spousal visa for the husband. Although, reading her posts again, it's not entirely clear...

Michigan Man

Have your kept your NI contributions up to date? I know we didn't, we stopped paying when we left the UK. We had to pay approx 300 pounds per year for the number of years we had missed to make sure that we were eligible for full pension. Friends of ours did it and the pension you get far outweighs the cost of the catch up payments.
The address to check it out is:
Inland Revenue
Centre for Non Residents
BP 1301
Benton Park View
Newcastle Upon Tyne
UK
www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk

I will also be drawing from my US retirement funds, I transferred my 401K to an IRA and as soon as I get back to the UK I will set up a savings plan there and transfer over my dollars to get a better rate of interest than I can out here. It is impossible to open a savings account until you live in the UK, you will see that from many other posts.

trottytrue

I did not keep my contributions up and there is a shut off date as to when you can make up the contributions.
We are also transferring our 401 to an IRA and will take that back with us to the UK. The way the dollar is now we feel would not be a good time to take the money back with us even if we had sold our house.