Applied for U.K. Pension through US ssa 4 months ago. Have heard nothing yet. Any idea how long the process takes?

Sorry, can't help -- but is there a reason you didn't do it directly with the UK? A very straightforward and rapid process.

As it is under the totalization agreement, I assumed I needed to go through SSA. I worked in U.K. For less than 10 years.

So did I, but having worked the requisite number of quarters in the US, no WEP was relevant. Hopefully others who have used the same route as you will be along with advice.

Thanks for your feedback.

Hmmmm, I don't think so. In order to receive a UK State Pension I believe you should make your application with the UK authorities. That's what I plan to do in a few months.

However, you must disclose your UK pension to SSA. I highly recommend you do so even if you're sure WEP won't apply.

It is probably quicker to apply directly with the UK, but you don't have to. SS offices can deal with applications for UK State pensions, however finding someone in the office who knows how might be a challenge.

I didn't know that. Thanks. I think I'll do it myself -- it probably gives me a little more sense of having some control over the process :-)

If the OP has been waiting four months for a response, it is definitely better to DIY -- doing it directly, I had everything set up within weeks.

Was this a DIY where a totalization agreement was involved? Surely, to acquire an ineligible UK pension via a TA, the UK will be required to verify the applicant has a US SSA benefit to which they are both eligible and entitled, and which meets the requirements of the TA. The two organisations must consult, and if this took 'within weeks' within a TA, good job - well done!

EDIT: Sorry, I now see from reply #4 above, you are saying you did require the TA. When the International office of the UK Pension Service was involved, my experience was a time period of over 3 months. That wasn't with a US/UK TA, but utilising an EEA (EU) agreement.

Like the OP I worked in the UK for less than ten years — but I have not yet applied for US SS, so the application was a stand alone. Could this be the difference?

See my EDIT above.

But, after reading your reply, I'm even more gobsmacked. Evidently, the UK only needed confirmation that you were eligible, not both eligible and entitled. The UK International service has improved greatly since my time of applying. WEP should have nothing to do with the TA process. Nope, really gobsmacked that you were able to attain the UK pension, on a TA, and without a US SSA pension being applied for. Well done.

Actually, I wasn’t totally clear on #4 as I was only responding to the OP’s second sentence. I get a pittance from the U.K. and will eventually draw my “proper” SS from the US, where I have spent the bulk of my working life. The two are not interrelated.