Moving to the USA does not stop you from receiving your UK State Pension, nor does it force you to close your private/workplace pensions. You can have your pension paid into a US bank account in dollars, but it remains subject to UK rules (accessible at 55, rising to 57 in 2028). Due to the UK-US tax treaty, you generally pay tax on income in the US, not the UK, but you cannot directly transfer UK pensions into a US 401(k).
The most common question from Expats abroad is whether or not they can transfer their UK pension fund directly into the US system. Whilst you can transfer your UK pensions to a SIPP for US residents, or QROPS scheme, you cannot transfer your UK pension pots directly to a US 401K or IRA.
You can keep claiming your UK State Pension overseas. But it might not increase every year as it would in the UK. You'll only get any annual increases if you live in either: any European Economic Area country, Gibraltar or Switzerland.
It will indeed remain yours regardless, you can leave it in the UK forever and it'll be there when you reach the qualifying retirement (or early retirement) age relevant to the scheme.
The following countries have social security agreements with the UK:
The only other countries in which the UK state pension rises in the same way as UK state pensioners are: the European Union countries (which continued after Brexit); Switzerland; Barbados; Bermuda; Bosnia-Herzegovina; Guernsey; Isle of Man; Israel; Jamaica; Jersey; Mauritius; Montenegro; North Macedonia; the ...
To be eligible for the State Pension you must have reached State Pension age and have paid at least 10 years of National Insurance (NI) contributions. To receive the full State Pension you must have paid 35 years of NI contributions.
Going abroad temporarily
Tell the office that pays your benefit if you plan to go abroad for more than 4 weeks. You can claim the following benefits if you're going abroad for up to 13 weeks (or 26 weeks if it's for medical treatment): Attendance Allowance. Disability Living Allowance ( DLA ) for adults.
UK pensioners in other countries – most notably Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa – have their pension frozen i.e. paid at the same rate as it was when they first became entitled, or the date they left the UK if they were already pensioners then.
Can I cash in a pension from an old employer? Yes – any money you've built up in an employer pension is yours, even if you've since left that employer. Once you reach your normal minimum pension age, you should be able to take your money out of your pension.
Yes. The IRS generally treats UK State Pension payments as taxable income for US citizens, and you must report them on your US tax return.
What are the best countries for UK retirees?
You can receive both US Social Security benefits and foreign pension payments simultaneously. According to the Social Security Administration, over 700,000 Americans living abroad currently receive Social Security benefits, and many also collect foreign pension income.
UK state and personal pensions can be accessed in the US. As the UK has a social security agreement with the US, your state pension will continue to increase annually, as it would if you were in the UK. This is a big plus, helping to maintain your pension's value over time.
Foreign pensions are generally subject to income tax in the US by the IRS. The rules for taxing a foreign pension will vary depending on several factors, including income tax treaties. It is impossible to “roll” a foreign pension into a US-based retirement savings account.
You can usually transfer or consolidate your pensions at any point, unless the scheme rules list restrictions. For example, some defined benefit schemes might not allow transfers out: after your pension has started paying out.
If you are retiring abroad, you can continue to receive your UK State Pension. You can get pension increases yearly if you live in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or a country which has a social security agreement with the UK. For further information go to: Living or working overseas and the State Pension.
Yes, you can receive your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments while living outside Canada, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. The CPP is a contributory plan, meaning you must have made sufficient contributions during your working years in Canada to qualify for benefits.
The State Pension was increased by 4.1% in April 2025, and is expected to rise by 4.8% in 2026. Most of us will receive some State Pension from the Government when we retire, but it's a complicated system, so understanding what you're entitled to is important.
Family visas
If you're in the UK on a family visa, you need to live in the UK for 5 years to apply for indefinite leave to remain. We don't expect this to change to 10 years after the rules change. You can check the rules for applying for indefinite leave to remain.
Australia, Canada, the USA, and New Zealand are among the most popular visa-free destinations for UK citizens—all except the USA are members of the Commonwealth Nations. But in light of political instability, British citizens seek options in the EU more often.
If you're going abroad temporarily, you can keep getting Pension Credit for up to four weeks if, at the start of your trip, you don't plan to be away for more than four weeks.
The new State Pension is a regular payment from the government that most people can claim in later life. You can claim the new State Pension when you reach State Pension age if you have at least 10 years of National Insurance contributions and are: a man born on or after 6 April 1951.