chopera

As an aside, I've heard of cases where people who haven't reached 15 years contributions being allowed to pay the outstanding contributions as a lump sum upon retirement. I'm not sure if this is written down somewhere official or decided on a case by case basis. I'd appreciate it if anyone has any details. This might become relevant as they keep talking about increasing the minimum to 20 years, or more even, which might catch a few people out.

Notdunroamin

​​​​​​As I understand it subject to a certain minimum period you claim your pension in the country in which you last worked and made social security contributions and they in turn liase with other countries in which you may have earned a pension to determine what you get from each, "double dipping" as suggested is not possible

Loafing Along

Exactly what happens in Spain. The Social Security do all the legwork once you apply for your Spanish retirement pension.

Mustard

The OP is already receiving a UK state pension and has also worked enough years to qualify for a Spanish state pension. When he receives it, won't that be "double dipping" ?

I don't like that term and prefer to say "in receipt of something for which you are entitled after having contributed separately for a sufficient number of years in two countries."

It's all a bit confusing