Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

The UK taxes 90% of the US SS benefit subject to total income being greater than the personal allowance of course. Yoy would report the benefit on the foreign pages of the Self Assessment return. Even if employed on a PAYE scheme, you will still need to file SA to report any foreign income.

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

No idea...no experience with that!

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

Hopefully, I will pay less tax via the UK than if I were in the US.

Is the self-assessment form a tax form or is it something completely separate? Is it filed in January for the previous year in the same way we do taxes in the US?

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

The UK tax year ends on April 5 of each year rather than the calendar year as in the US. Self assessment is a tax return. For example, I filed my 2013/2014 SA in April and paid. Unlike the US you have a longer filing and payment window; I just like to get it done and dusted.

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

I believe not. You only pay NI in the UK up to your pension age (whether or not you take the pension exactly at pension age.) You can no longer pay voluntary contributions after pension age.

Surely, in order to be able to pay voluntary class 2 NICs in arrears, you need to be living abroad, no? Maybe I'm wrong on that..

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

I was referring to the rise in the British pension age to 66. Looking into that further, I now see that is not scheduled to happen till 2020. I think in my mind, I was confusing the new pension arrangements that are coming in in 2016, with the rise in age to age 66. Now I realise those are two different things.

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

LOL Robin....I live in the State of Confusion.

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

Have you paid any NI contributions at all? I know you have been living in the US for a long time. You may be able to pay the past six years but if you are at retirement age it may not make a huge difference in the pension amount you will get if you don't have any other contributions.

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

I haven't paid any contributions at all to NI in the UK and I wanted to pay in the last six years just to give 1/5 UK pension. If I don't, I won't get anything at all for pension from the UK.

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

I was born there; of that state I'm not an expat!

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

I'll join you in that State because my mind has been spinning with all that there is to do. ;)

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

Your best bet is when you get to the UK call HMRC (you'll have to anyway to let them know you are back), and speak to the international caseworker. They will be able to tell you what you can do and what if anything you may be eligible for. Right now you would probably be better off packing :-)

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

At least the State of Confusion doesn't tax us...or maybe it does...I'm confused...

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

That's exactly what I am doing. :)

This time next week, I will be a basket case!!!

Re: Social Security Prep before Leaving
 

I agree with lgabriel. Don't rush these decisions, especially a US social security benefit application. You can't undo it.

Another month or two may make a huge difference to your decision.