I've moved from the UK, now living in USA. I was drawing my main pension plus credits in the UK. Now that I am over here, married to an American lady, I'm wondering if I can draw a married person's pension here. My wife, being an American, has never paid into the UK pension system.

I have seen the application form and it says you MAY qualify.....but I am afraid that I might lose pension credits because I am not living in the UK and then if I didn't get the married person's pension I will have shot myself in the foot.

Anyone know?

I'm afraid I don't know, best bet is to contact them on Monday morning and let us know. I'd be surprised if you qualified for pension credits as you're resident outside the EU, but again I don't know.

Do let us know what they say when you find out.

UK State Pensioners are entitled to not only their accrued State Pension, but also the inflation increase (discretionary) which the government adds each year. The increase works for UK pensioners resident in the USA but not all countries...

As to the question about spouses, I am not sure whether and immediate spouses pension is available, although a surviving spouse pension is. It's on my 'to do' list.

Let me correct the idea that a person works all their life putting money into the UK State system but loses is if they move outside the EU - that is not the case

I'm sorry for the confusion, I was aware that you could collect your UK state pension while resident in the USA, my question was regarding the pension credits.

Anyway, I believe the answer to the pension credit question is answered here:

Can I get pension credit if I live in Spain?

No. Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit separate to the State Pension and is not exportable.

Ah ok it's the Pension Credit you were querying... I agree that isn't exportable

I still have to bottom the question as to whether a UK person with a full UK State pension entitlement can claim a married State pension while living abroad.

I did send a letter to the Newcastle office about this but havent received a reply - so I will send a follow up and report back
eventually