hawklords2525

First Post.

Hi,After many years of living in the U.S I moved back to the UK.I live in the UK.
Ive been receiving my U.S Social Security check into my UK bank account since I was about 65 and a half,Ive also been receiving my British pension into my UK bank account when I turned 65.
Ive recently been told by a friend that you cant have a U.S and UK pension at the same time.Is this correct?
Im 67 now.

Rete

No this is not correct

Rete

SS benefit is not a pension

hawklords2525

Ok,thank you Rete for confirming that someone can have their U.S S.S and UK Pension paid at the same time into a UK bank account.Not sure what you mean when you say that SS is not a pension though......what is it?

vespucci

As has been pointed out this is not correct. You must have over 30 years of US "substantial earnings" otherwise you would be aware of this as your US SS would be reduced by WEP due to your UK pension.

durham_lad

hawklords2525

Yes,correct because when I made my application for SS the lady on the phone told me I would not be getting the full amount .

hawklords2525

Thank you for your reply Durham boy.I am not getting the full amount of UK OAP because I was short on my contribution as I was living in the U.S and money had to go to more important daily expenses,however do you know how I can increase my UK OAP pension now I am in the UK? Thank you.

durham_lad

In your first post above you said you were already receiving your UK OAP so I don't believe you can now pay back contributions, but no harm in asking, nothing to lose, I don't read anywhere in the link below about an age limitation.

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-nationa...-contributions

hawklords2525

[QUOTE=durham_lad;12552650]In your first post above you said you were already receiving your UK OAP so I don't believe you can now pay back contributions, but no harm in asking, nothing to lose, I don't read anywhere in the link below about an age limitation.



Durham Lad,yes....Ive just found out that there is a process called the "topping up process" it looks complicated but it is possible to pay a lump sum now to HMRC and it is possible to increase your monthly OAP pension.

hawklords2525

Thank you,if my SS was reduced because I was receiving a UK pension is it possible that my UK pension could be reduced by receiving my SS ?

spouse of scouse

No. Your UK State pension is based on your NI record, you've paid into it, it's yours.

Giantaxe

I do know you can't contribute for any year that you are in or past your retirement age. But... given you can back pay five (?) years, it would be interesting to know whether you can do that for past years that you were not at retirement age even if you are now past that age. Additionally, there were special "top up" provisions for people in a certain range of birth dates - not sure of the specifics because I saw it didn't apply to my birth date.

hawklords2525

Thank you Scouse.

hawklords2525

Thank you Giantaxe...if I can get to the bottom of this I will post on here.