If you have chosen to retire abroad, it is possible to claim the UK state pension whilst living overseas. It is also possible to retain yearly increases if you have retired to a country in the European Economic Area, such as Spain. The UK International Pension Centre, deals with state pension enquiries for expats.
UK State Pension Eligibility
You become eligible for the basic state pension - and benefits from the Second State Pension - when you are 60 for women and 65 for men (the age of the woman will gradually rise to 65 between the years 2010 and 2020).
Eligibility or how much you get, depends on your National Insurance (NI) contributions record. Previously you had to notch up 49 years for a man and 44 for a woman. This assumed everyone started working at 16. Now it's only 30 years which allows for a few gaps.
If you have not made enough NI contributions you may be able to make voluntary contributions, and it is worth contacting the UK DSS for a pension forecast.
Eligibility or how much you get, depends on your National Insurance (NI) contributions record. Previously you had to notch up 49 years for a man and 44 for a woman. This assumed everyone started working at 16. Now it's only 30 years which allows for a few gaps.
If you have not made enough NI contributions you may be able to make voluntary contributions, and it is worth contacting the UK DSS for a pension forecast.
Spanish State Pension Eligibility
If you have worked for at least one year in Spain and a combined total of 15 years in Spain and any other EEA country (e.g. the UK) you may be able to apply for a Spanish State Pension. Note : two of these 15 years must be within the last 15 years prior to retirement. The Spanish pension system is based upon earnings-related schemes which cover both employees and self-employed (Autonomo) persons.
When claiming a pension from the UK, each country decides how it will pay a State pension; further information is available from the authorities who run the country's State pension scheme.
- A foreigner from the UK should ask the International Pensions Centre and complete the claim form IPCBR1
- A person who is some time away from retirement age can complete the form BR19 which gives a State pension forecast of the benefits available from the UK
Currency Exchange : It is important to consider the impact of currency exchange and fluctuations with any renumeration from the UK to Spain. Visit our currency page for more information.
