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Pensions Abroad

If you are retiring abroad, you can continue to receive your UK State Pension. You can get pension yearly increases if you are in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or country with a special UK agreement. Find out more about claiming your pension while abroad.

Receiving your state pension when moving abroad

If you are moving permanently, you will only get yearly increases in your pension if you are in a European Economic Area (EEA) country. You will get yearly increases in your pension if moving to one of the countries that have a special agreement with the UK.

You will find a link to a list of countries in the EEA below.

If you are not planning to live in another EEA country for some time, you will need the State Pension statement application form (BR19). You can get this from your local social security office.

If you are moving to another EEA country or anywhere else in the world you will need to inform the UK Pensions Service. Let the UK Pensions Service know that you are moving abroad and give them your new address (contact details are below).

Building up a State Pension abroad in the EEA

State Pension age and entitlements vary from country to country

You may want to know about your own pension rights in another country in the EEA. You need to ask the department or unit responsible for pensions and benefits in that country. Check the government website for the country where you are moving to or are living in.

The state pension age and entitlements may vary depending on which country you are going to live in.

For a full list of the countries that make up the EEA, follow the 'Claiming benefits in Europe' link below.

UK pension statement

You can ask for a statement of the UK state pension. You can expect to get a statement up to four months before you reach the UK pension age.

A State Pension statement gives you an estimate based on your National Insurance (NI) record as it stands when the statement was requested. It doesn’t give an estimate of what your State Pension may be worth at State Pension age.

There are three ways you can get a statement.

  • you can apply for a State Pension statement online if you live in the UK
  • you can ring the Future Pension Centre on 0845 3000 168 (or if you live abroad +44 191 218 3600) and they will take your application over the phone

If you are calling from the UK, lines are open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.

For security and quality purposes your call may be monitored and recorded.

  • you can also download, fill in and return an application form BR19

For B19 should be sent to:

Future Pension Centre Department for Work and Pensions
Tyneview Park
Whitley Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1BA

Claiming your pension in the EEA

Remember to tell the Pension Service when you move abroad  

Every EEA country has its own rules and the pensionable age may vary.

If you have been paying into a State Pension in the UK you will be sent a claim form from the Pensions Service. You usually get this four months before you reach the UK pensionable age. It will ask you if you want to claim a UK State Pension. It also asks for details of any periods of residence and state insurance you have in other countries. You may be or have been living in another EEA country and claim a pension from that country. The UK Pension Service will pass details of your claim to any other EEA country where you have been insured.

Change of address

Remember to tell the Pension Service when you change your address or the form may not get to you. It may have an enquiry about your pension when you are abroad. You can either complete the online form or contact the Pension Service International Pension Centre:

International Pension Centre
Tyneview Park
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE98 1BA
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 218 7777

More useful links

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