About National Heath, Social Security, etc.
Nov 1st 2002, 4:00 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1
About National Heath, Social Security, etc.
Hello all,
It's been interesting reading about all of your experiences with moving back to the UK, and my grateful thanks for any assistance you may be able to offer.
My mother is considering returning to her native southern England (New Forest) from the United States, where she's been living as a legal alien (British Citizen) for 32 years, and I'm trying to find out information about the ramifications of such a move in regard to Social Security in the United States, and her eligibility for Nation Heath Service in England should she return. I read some fuzzy stuff about Social Security agreements between countries, but it still said that many people are eligible for benefits from both countries. Has anyone had experience with these matters before?
Thanks!
It's been interesting reading about all of your experiences with moving back to the UK, and my grateful thanks for any assistance you may be able to offer.
My mother is considering returning to her native southern England (New Forest) from the United States, where she's been living as a legal alien (British Citizen) for 32 years, and I'm trying to find out information about the ramifications of such a move in regard to Social Security in the United States, and her eligibility for Nation Heath Service in England should she return. I read some fuzzy stuff about Social Security agreements between countries, but it still said that many people are eligible for benefits from both countries. Has anyone had experience with these matters before?
Thanks!
Nov 6th 2002, 4:51 am
#2
Y Ddraig Goch
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Body is in Brissie. Heart and soul has long flown home.
Posts: 3,722
Re: About National Heath, Social Security, etc.
Originally posted by cmaclenn
Hello all,
It's been interesting reading about all of your experiences with moving back to the UK, and my grateful thanks for any assistance you may be able to offer.
My mother is considering returning to her native southern England (New Forest) from the United States, where she's been living as a legal alien (British Citizen) for 32 years, and I'm trying to find out information about the ramifications of such a move in regard to Social Security in the United States, and her eligibility for Nation Heath Service in England should she return. I read some fuzzy stuff about Social Security agreements between countries, but it still said that many people are eligible for benefits from both countries. Has anyone had experience with these matters before?
Thanks!
Hello all,
It's been interesting reading about all of your experiences with moving back to the UK, and my grateful thanks for any assistance you may be able to offer.
My mother is considering returning to her native southern England (New Forest) from the United States, where she's been living as a legal alien (British Citizen) for 32 years, and I'm trying to find out information about the ramifications of such a move in regard to Social Security in the United States, and her eligibility for Nation Heath Service in England should she return. I read some fuzzy stuff about Social Security agreements between countries, but it still said that many people are eligible for benefits from both countries. Has anyone had experience with these matters before?
Thanks!
cheers
Nov 8th 2002, 1:59 am
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: MA via London
Posts: 134
Re: About National Heath, Social Security, etc.
Originally posted by Ceri
If she's a British citizen. (holder of a British passport/born there etc...if she hasn't denounced her British citizenship )... she will get full free national health when in Britain. All British citizens in Britain are entitled to free Health care, social security help etc etc. I can't answer you on the agreements between the US and UK... but if she's British.. she gets free health care and social security if she needs it.
cheers
If she's a British citizen. (holder of a British passport/born there etc...if she hasn't denounced her British citizenship )... she will get full free national health when in Britain. All British citizens in Britain are entitled to free Health care, social security help etc etc. I can't answer you on the agreements between the US and UK... but if she's British.. she gets free health care and social security if she needs it.
cheers
She will be able to use the NHS and should have no difficulty getting a Doctor - any UK resident can do that, regardless of nationality.
However if she has been out of the UK for so long she will not have full pension entitlements (if she needs them).
I would recomend checking the UK Department for Work and Pensions website (www.dwp.gov.uk) and also contacting the nearest British consulate in the US for advice.
Nov 8th 2002, 5:24 am
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 298
Re: About National Heath, Social Security, etc.
Originally posted by cmaclenn
Hello all,
It's been interesting reading about all of your experiences with moving back to the UK, and my grateful thanks for any assistance you may be able to offer.
My mother is considering returning to her native southern England (New Forest) from the United States, where she's been living as a legal alien (British Citizen) for 32 years, and I'm trying to find out information about the ramifications of such a move in regard to Social Security in the United States, and her eligibility for Nation Heath Service in England should she return. I read some fuzzy stuff about Social Security agreements between countries, but it still said that many people are eligible for benefits from both countries. Has anyone had experience with these matters before?
Thanks!
Hello all,
It's been interesting reading about all of your experiences with moving back to the UK, and my grateful thanks for any assistance you may be able to offer.
My mother is considering returning to her native southern England (New Forest) from the United States, where she's been living as a legal alien (British Citizen) for 32 years, and I'm trying to find out information about the ramifications of such a move in regard to Social Security in the United States, and her eligibility for Nation Heath Service in England should she return. I read some fuzzy stuff about Social Security agreements between countries, but it still said that many people are eligible for benefits from both countries. Has anyone had experience with these matters before?
Thanks!
As far as the NHS etc. is concerned, why not contact the Department direct - they will give you all the advice you need...
Nov 8th 2002, 7:59 am
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: England
Posts: 279
Re: About National Heath, Social Security, etc.
Originally posted by cmaclenn
Hello all,
It's been interesting reading about all of your experiences with moving back to the UK, and my grateful thanks for any assistance you may be able to offer.
My mother is considering returning to her native southern England (New Forest) from the United States, where she's been living as a legal alien (British Citizen) for 32 years, and I'm trying to find out information about the ramifications of such a move in regard to Social Security in the United States, and her eligibility for Nation Heath Service in England should she return. I read some fuzzy stuff about Social Security agreements between countries, but it still said that many people are eligible for benefits from both countries. Has anyone had experience with these matters before?
Thanks!
Hello all,
It's been interesting reading about all of your experiences with moving back to the UK, and my grateful thanks for any assistance you may be able to offer.
My mother is considering returning to her native southern England (New Forest) from the United States, where she's been living as a legal alien (British Citizen) for 32 years, and I'm trying to find out information about the ramifications of such a move in regard to Social Security in the United States, and her eligibility for Nation Heath Service in England should she return. I read some fuzzy stuff about Social Security agreements between countries, but it still said that many people are eligible for benefits from both countries. Has anyone had experience with these matters before?
Thanks!
I believe British Citizens are entitled to NHS services however I have been reading about British Citizens returning to the UK from troubled Zimbabwe and getting no assistance with housing, unemployment benefit, income support etc. etc. Try the DSS web-site for further information www.dss.gov.uk
Also, we are from the same area (Near Ringwood) and I agree with Pommiesheila, the traffic becomes unbearable during the summer months and over the bank holiday the whole area is grid-locked! We are thinking of returning to the UK but not to this area.
Jun 16th 2003, 11:20 am
#6
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1
Re: About National Heath, Social Security, etc.
Originally posted by Kath
I believe British Citizens are entitled to NHS services however I have been reading about British Citizens returning to the UK from troubled Zimbabwe and getting no assistance with housing, unemployment benefit, income support etc. etc. Try the DSS web-site for further information www.dss.gov.uk
Also, we are from the same area (Near Ringwood) and I agree with Pommiesheila, the traffic becomes unbearable during the summer months and over the bank holiday the whole area is grid-locked! We are thinking of returning to the UK but not to this area.
I believe British Citizens are entitled to NHS services however I have been reading about British Citizens returning to the UK from troubled Zimbabwe and getting no assistance with housing, unemployment benefit, income support etc. etc. Try the DSS web-site for further information www.dss.gov.uk
Also, we are from the same area (Near Ringwood) and I agree with Pommiesheila, the traffic becomes unbearable during the summer months and over the bank holiday the whole area is grid-locked! We are thinking of returning to the UK but not to this area.
Jun 17th 2003, 2:41 am
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: England
Posts: 279
Re: About National Heath, Social Security, etc.
Originally posted by sarahplum
I was hoping you could tell me where you've read about British Citizens return to the UK from ZImbabwe and not getting assistance with housing, income support etc. I've been trying to find info on this for a long time and would be most grateful
I was hoping you could tell me where you've read about British Citizens return to the UK from ZImbabwe and not getting assistance with housing, income support etc. I've been trying to find info on this for a long time and would be most grateful
I'm no expert on this issue but I will try and help. About 6 months ago the Daily Mail ran an article about a family who lived in Zimbabwe and due to the troubles over there decided to return to the UK. As they were British Citizens they had no automatic rights to the full range of benefits usually available to asylum seekers. You need to pay national insurance premiums to be eligible. They were living off charity, kindness of friends, family etc. whilst trying to find work.
My parents' friends are due to return from Zimbabwe to UK next month and have been assisted by the Royal British Legion who have found them a house etc.
You might want to search on the BBC web site for more news articles - www.bbc.co.uk.
Hope this helps!
Jun 19th 2003, 4:55 pm
#8
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: About National Heath, Social Security, etc.
My understanding is that there is an agreement between the US and UK. If you paid SS in the USA, you can request that these "credits" be transferred to the UK and counted as payments to the UK NI system. However, this is not recommended in most cases (my opinion), because in the US, the amount you would receive in state pension is related to how much you paid in SS payments (so typically, you get more than you would if you received UK state pension).
I believe that if you have paid a minimum of 28 quarters (i.e., 7 yrs) of US SS payments, you are eligible to receive US state pension, and this can be paid to you even if you live overseas. In the situation you described, this sounds like it applies.
I also believe you can ask for an estimation of how much you would receive when you retire in the US.
And finally, of course the dollar/pound exchange rate comes into play. If the dollar dives, your US pension is worth less, and vice versa. However, the rate has been pretty stable (i.e., within a range of about 0.20) for many years - see http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred/...xchange/exusuk
I believe that if you have paid a minimum of 28 quarters (i.e., 7 yrs) of US SS payments, you are eligible to receive US state pension, and this can be paid to you even if you live overseas. In the situation you described, this sounds like it applies.
I also believe you can ask for an estimation of how much you would receive when you retire in the US.
And finally, of course the dollar/pound exchange rate comes into play. If the dollar dives, your US pension is worth less, and vice versa. However, the rate has been pretty stable (i.e., within a range of about 0.20) for many years - see http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred/...xchange/exusuk
