Samxboy

I'm currently a GC holder of 1 year duration. I plan on working for 2/3 more years at which time I'll retire and draw a US and UK pension.
If at the appropriate time ( 5 years after GC...I understand), I decide to apply for citizenship, would my retirement 'status' be held against me? Has anyone obtained citizenship whilst 'not' actively working?
I can imagine it might be looked at unfavorably but then again I wouldn't be a burden on society....thoughts?

Guindalf

If you've only worked a year or so in the US, I doubt you'd be claiming much in the way of a US pension, but then again, I don't know exactly how that works.

As for citizenship, it shouldn't be a problem.

Michael

Retirement or your financial status will have no bearing on acquiring citizenship.

Rete

I have to ask ... are you talking pension or social security retirement benefit? There is a big difference. After working only 3 to 4 years, you won't have much in monies a pension account and/or your social security account.

As for citizenship, they don't care if you are working or not as long as you fulfill all the criteria for applying.

civilservant

Agree with Guindalf - if you haven't worked 40 quarters your SS will be very little, if any.

Sally Redux

I thought you had to work 40 quarters to get any SS at all.

Michael

40 quarters but I believe less than 40 quarters can be used to fulfill any possible shortage on your UK pension.

Samxboy

Thanks for your responses. Although I won't have worked 40 quarters, it will be 5 years total work ( 2 years prior to GC). Not relying on SS anyway, but my US company pension will be available for retirement at 55 if I've worked 5 years. Not relying on that either!! Thankfully my UK pension is maxed out....last of the final salary schemes!

WEBlue

This has nothing to do with US citizenship, or eligibility for it, but if you plan to stay in the USA beyond age 65, your short US work history as it is now will probably not entitle you to Medicare in your golden years. I'm in that boat too. Unless you're planning to work more in this country?

Luckily, my husband does qualify for Medicare, and I can join (?) through him.

Steve_

There is a sliding scale for Medicare part A.

Might want to keep working a little bit so you don't have to pay part A premiums and so you can get the 40 quarters, it's a pretty small amount of money you have to earn.

WEBlue

Yes, this is correct. My post above should read, "your present US work history won't entitle you to free Medicare hospital insurance under the Social Security agreement." This is what I was told by my SS office concerning my US work history.

mamasue

I became a USC in March 2013, based on 5 years LPR....even though I qualified after 3 years, as I'm married to a USC.

I was already retired when I applied for citizenship. I was claiming my UK pension, and was getting spouse benefits from my husband's SS,
I've never worked in the US.
I was told at the SS office that, as I'm married to a USC claiming SS, that I'll qualify for Medicare when I become 65.