Trying to check social security eligibility
#16
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 22
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
My brother checked for me. As I said he’s a CFA. I think it was the www gov uk site. I’ve got a screenshot but I can’t seem to post them yet because I’m new to the forums. Here’s another try.
#17
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
Did you read the bit that says 'assumes you'll contribute another 13 years'?
#18
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
OP:
You may have missed seeing my prior post...
A spate of others all got sent at the same time...and after I sent it and then updated it (twiice!)...I see it's on page 1 and could not even find it after my edits.
I think it may have some useful help...???
You may have missed seeing my prior post...
A spate of others all got sent at the same time...and after I sent it and then updated it (twiice!)...I see it's on page 1 and could not even find it after my edits.
I think it may have some useful help...???
#19
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 22
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
“Did you read the bit that says 'assumes you'll contribute another 13 years'?”
Yes, I did. Isn’t that we were taking about when we talked about sending contributions? I thought you could pay contributions in arrears and into the future.
Yes, I did. Isn’t that we were taking about when we talked about sending contributions? I thought you could pay contributions in arrears and into the future.
Last edited by UKadventurer7; Jun 12th 2020 at 5:52 pm. Reason: Clarify what I’m replying to.
#20
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
who was talking about what?
I'm talking about US social security
See POST number 9 on Page 1- in this thread
Last edited by MMcD; Jun 12th 2020 at 5:54 pm.
#21
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
#22
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 22
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
ah, yes sorry. I was replying to a national insurance question from another member. “Quick replies” aren’t such a good idea without nested threads.
Thank you. I just saw your post and I’ll read up on US social security. At the moment I know very little on how it works. Until recently, I’d assumed I’d get nothing from any country since I’ve moved around so much. Now, it seems like I might get something but I’ll have to work at it and go back to school.
sorry for the confusion.
Thank you. I just saw your post and I’ll read up on US social security. At the moment I know very little on how it works. Until recently, I’d assumed I’d get nothing from any country since I’ve moved around so much. Now, it seems like I might get something but I’ll have to work at it and go back to school.
sorry for the confusion.
#23
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
ah, yes sorry. I was replying to a national insurance question from another member. “Quick replies” aren’t such a good idea without nested threads.
Thank you. I just saw your post and I’ll read up on US social security. At the moment I know very little on how it works. Until recently, I’d assumed I’d get nothing from any country since I’ve moved around so much. Now, it seems like I might get something but I’ll have to work at it and go back to school.
sorry for the confusion.
Thank you. I just saw your post and I’ll read up on US social security. At the moment I know very little on how it works. Until recently, I’d assumed I’d get nothing from any country since I’ve moved around so much. Now, it seems like I might get something but I’ll have to work at it and go back to school.
sorry for the confusion.
https://www.ssa.gov/international/ag..._overview.html
Last edited by tht; Jun 12th 2020 at 6:06 pm.
#24
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
Google Windfall Elimination Provision, WEP. Your US pension will be reduced by 50 cents on the dollar for every $1 that you receive from the UK up to a maximum that is updated every year. For 2020 I think the maximum they can deduct is about $480 per month. So if your UK pension was $960 or less your social security would be reduced by 50% of whatever the UK pension is. If the UK pension is more than $960 then your deduction is maxed out at $480. This is a simplistic description, the devil is I the details. For example of you have more than 20 years Social Security contributions then your deduction is phased out and reaches 0 when you have 30 years contributions. If you retire early at 62 then the maximum deduction is about 2/3 of whatever that years maximum is, so about $320 for this year. All figures are monthly. If you make voluntary NI contributions to the UK then the portion of your pension that is based on the voluntary contributions is not subject to the deduction but the rest is. I believe WEP also applies to any pension derived from any worldwide earnings on which US social security was NOT deducted regardless of your citizenship, where or when you earned the pension, and whether or not you had ever resided in the USA when you made those earnings.Not at all fair, but regardless that is how it works.
Last edited by Glasgow Girl; Jun 12th 2020 at 6:09 pm.
#25
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
When you say your green card expired, did you submit a form to relinquish your status as a LPR or just leave and now the expiry date is in the past? Did you complete all the required tax filings and FBAR’s etc when you left?
#26
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
Yep, devil's in the details...but once in a whiule...there may be an angel, as well:
Tho not relevant to OP....I believe the US WEP SS deduction is strictly related to earned income. If you receive a Spousal Pension in the UK, (based on the earnings of an Ex ) or a Widower's Pension (again - based on their income) you're not liable for WEP payments. I think (?) I'm right about this...but laws have changed in recent years, so unsure...but worth looking into for anyone to whom this might be relevant.
#27
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 22
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
#28
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
#29
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 22
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
Thanks to everybody, I’ve read all the links and honestly I don’t feel much wiser. It’s no clearer how much I’ll get. There are so many variables and the articles are full of different scenarios and conditions. Maybe I’m not cut out to do my own financial planning.
I think I need somebody to advise me specifically on my own personal situation. I imagine there are professionals who have experience in expat pensions and financial planning. Can anybody recommend one?
I realize I could do it myself but I think my plan would be crap. After my divorce, I squandered my share of our divorce settlement in just a few years. Paying somebody would hopefully give me a better outcome for my retirement. Just like we used to pay a professional CPA to do our taxes back in the USA. He’d find deductions we didn’t know about which more than paid for his fee.
I think I need somebody to advise me specifically on my own personal situation. I imagine there are professionals who have experience in expat pensions and financial planning. Can anybody recommend one?
I realize I could do it myself but I think my plan would be crap. After my divorce, I squandered my share of our divorce settlement in just a few years. Paying somebody would hopefully give me a better outcome for my retirement. Just like we used to pay a professional CPA to do our taxes back in the USA. He’d find deductions we didn’t know about which more than paid for his fee.
#30
Re: Trying to check social security eligibility
Thanks to everybody, I’ve read all the links and honestly I don’t feel much wiser. It’s no clearer how much I’ll get. There are so many variables and the articles are full of different scenarios and conditions. Maybe I’m not cut out to do my own financial planning.
I think I need somebody to advise me specifically on my own personal situation. I imagine there are professionals who have experience in expat pensions and financial planning. Can anybody recommend one?
I realize I could do it myself but I think my plan would be crap. After my divorce, I squandered my share of our divorce settlement in just a few years. Paying somebody would hopefully give me a better outcome for my retirement. Just like we used to pay a professional CPA to do our taxes back in the USA. He’d find deductions we didn’t know about which more than paid for his fee.
I think I need somebody to advise me specifically on my own personal situation. I imagine there are professionals who have experience in expat pensions and financial planning. Can anybody recommend one?
I realize I could do it myself but I think my plan would be crap. After my divorce, I squandered my share of our divorce settlement in just a few years. Paying somebody would hopefully give me a better outcome for my retirement. Just like we used to pay a professional CPA to do our taxes back in the USA. He’d find deductions we didn’t know about which more than paid for his fee.
You're a lot better informed now than you were when you first came here.
You'll be able to ask more relevant / insightful questions of whomever you enlist to assist you.
As for whom to choose - that question is asked here constantly - it's rarely answered.
You said earlier your brother is a retired chartered accountant in the UK.
Why not try to get a recommendation from him? At a minimum - you'll know his suggestion(s) aren't cloaked in a hidden vested interest
Good luck...