UK state pension and USA social security
#271
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
They have a Consulate in Miami. 1395 Brickell Avenue, Miami Fl 33131. Might be worth asking them about claiming your French pension.
#272
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Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 72
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
I just got back from the Social Security office. First of all you have to pass through security, just like at the airport but even worse. They are a lot more thorough. Luckily I had an appointment and was waved to the front of the line otherwise I would probably still be there.
I don't know how much use this information will be to anyone. It looks like I will be getting a widow's pension which is in excess of my pension if I retire at the age of 65. If I retire at the age of 70, my pension will be more. However, I will be receiving a pension from Germany when I'm about 66 or 67 (not quite sure which). The WEP does not apply if you are receiving the pension from somebody else (i.e. widow). It would apply to my pension, so obviously I would be better off keeping the widow's pension and not take mine. Mine would be reduced significantly by the WEP if I chose to take it. Plus you can get married again after the age of 60 and your widow's pension would not be affected.
I asked if I moved to another country, would I still receive the pension. The reply was that since I am a US citizen it would be paid (except in the case of a couple of countries (like North Korea). I did not ask what would happen if I weren't a US citizen.
So, as I said, I really don't know how much help the above is. The only thing I know is make an appointment
I don't know how much use this information will be to anyone. It looks like I will be getting a widow's pension which is in excess of my pension if I retire at the age of 65. If I retire at the age of 70, my pension will be more. However, I will be receiving a pension from Germany when I'm about 66 or 67 (not quite sure which). The WEP does not apply if you are receiving the pension from somebody else (i.e. widow). It would apply to my pension, so obviously I would be better off keeping the widow's pension and not take mine. Mine would be reduced significantly by the WEP if I chose to take it. Plus you can get married again after the age of 60 and your widow's pension would not be affected.
I asked if I moved to another country, would I still receive the pension. The reply was that since I am a US citizen it would be paid (except in the case of a couple of countries (like North Korea). I did not ask what would happen if I weren't a US citizen.
So, as I said, I really don't know how much help the above is. The only thing I know is make an appointment
#275
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
My Brit pension is in the works, but my French pension seems to be on hold until I draw SS here in the States. The French insist I go through the SS in Baltimore - but that only happens if I've triggered my US SS. They can't cope with separate streams. Grrr. So I get to wait another few years. I believe one gets "back pay" when it starts, which is some comfort.
#276
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Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 72
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
Something I forgot. Apparently I can claim my German pension through SS here, however, it could take up to and over a year before it's processed. I do have the alternative of filing direct with Germany. The VERY nice lady at SS told me they file with their international division then it depends on the other country's policies as to how long it takes.
#277
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
And, for the record, I believe that's also the case if part or all of your UK State Pension benefits are based upon the UK earnings/eligibility of an ex (wife or husband) - no WEP deduction will be made by US social security.
#278
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Joined: Apr 2011
Location: The Shire
Posts: 1,117
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
Most of us believed a spouse pension (50%) resulting from the full pension of a husband or wife would not be subject to WEP, but we ran into an issue on one page from the SSA instructions. This post from norfolkbroad seems to confirm our original thinking (it's not WEPed) provided the information is not related solely to the widow(ers) pension and applies to all spouse pensions derived from a husband/wife's pension.
It's good news, but it really leaves one doubting anything they read in SSA publications.
#279
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Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 72
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
As I said before, the rep at SS was extremely good and seemed to know what she was doing. I asked the same question in different ways to be absolutely sure that the information was correct.
#280
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Joined: Apr 2011
Location: The Shire
Posts: 1,117
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
My Brit pension is in the works, but my French pension seems to be on hold until I draw SS here in the States. The French insist I go through the SS in Baltimore - but that only happens if I've triggered my US SS. They can't cope with separate streams. Grrr. So I get to wait another few years. I believe one gets "back pay" when it starts, which is some comfort.
I can't help you regards the back pay question, but when applying for CNAV from the UK, it's the same situation. The French will not move until the appropriate paperwork is sent from the UK Pension Service, and it appears the UK do not move until the UK State Pension is applied for.
Too bad the UK can't apply for you.
Last edited by theOAP; Apr 7th 2014 at 7:30 pm.
#281
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
This is most interesting in light of the questions that we (I) raised in post 182 of this thread.
Most of us believed a spouse pension (50%) resulting from the full pension of a husband or wife would not be subject to WEP, but we ran into an issue on one page from the SSA instructions. This post from norfolkbroad seems to confirm our original thinking (it's not WEPed) provided the information is not related solely to the widow(ers) pension and applies to all spouse pensions derived from a husband/wife's pension.
It's good news, but it really leaves one doubting anything they read in SSA publications.
Most of us believed a spouse pension (50%) resulting from the full pension of a husband or wife would not be subject to WEP, but we ran into an issue on one page from the SSA instructions. This post from norfolkbroad seems to confirm our original thinking (it's not WEPed) provided the information is not related solely to the widow(ers) pension and applies to all spouse pensions derived from a husband/wife's pension.
It's good news, but it really leaves one doubting anything they read in SSA publications.
#282
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Joined: Apr 2011
Location: The Shire
Posts: 1,117
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
OAP - disregard if I've misunderstood (will admit I just saw your post after sending my own - and haven't read thru this entire string) - but nevertheless, - might the confusion possibly arise from fact that I believe Lansbury is referring to UK Government Pensions - whereas you and I are referencing non-govt. benefits....
But in all honesty, although (most) everything points to that being true, I would still prefer to see agreeing statements from SSA confirming that, and not contradictory statements.
#283
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Joined: Apr 2011
Location: The Shire
Posts: 1,117
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
For clarification regarding norfolkbroad's situation:
If this is a widow's pension, the amount of the pension should be (IMHO) equal to the full amount (not 50% of) the husband's original SSA pension.
If the husband had been WEPed on their original pension, then (again IMHO) the resulting widow's pension would still be equal to the full amount (pre-WEP) of the husband's pension.
That's how I read the SSA literature. I could be wrong.
If this is a widow's pension, the amount of the pension should be (IMHO) equal to the full amount (not 50% of) the husband's original SSA pension.
If the husband had been WEPed on their original pension, then (again IMHO) the resulting widow's pension would still be equal to the full amount (pre-WEP) of the husband's pension.
That's how I read the SSA literature. I could be wrong.
#284
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Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 72
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
I should have asked but I'm pretty certain that I will be receiving 100% of his pension. He died when he was 48 so it's not like he paid in a huge amount and the amount I'll be receiving (hopefully, once it's processed) is considerably more that I thought. I also thought that I would only be receiving a portion. In fact, I told the the rep that I wanted to hug and kiss her
#285
Re: UK state pension and USA social security
My head hurts:
I get to the point where I actually think I understand it
Don't think about it again for months
Read about it again, here, some time later
Find my prior understanding has totally unraveled
And I'm back again at square 1 - or beyond
WEP can either make me weep and tear my hair out or decide WTF: forget about it. And that's what I'll do
I get to the point where I actually think I understand it
Don't think about it again for months
Read about it again, here, some time later
Find my prior understanding has totally unraveled
And I'm back again at square 1 - or beyond
WEP can either make me weep and tear my hair out or decide WTF: forget about it. And that's what I'll do