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State Pension for people living overseas

If you're planning to live abroad when you retire, you'll still be able to claim your State Pension. Find out how your State Pension is paid if you live abroad. How to pay tax on your State Pension and who to contact if you move abroad.

Claiming your State Pension when you live abroad

You can claim your State Pension if you live outside the UK. You will only receive the yearly index-linked increases if you live in either:

  • the European Economic Area (EEA)
  • Switzerland
  • a country which the UK has a social security agreement with, and the agreement allows for the annual increase of the UK State Pension

If you live outside those areas, you won’t be entitled to the increases that normally happen yearly. However, if you return to live in the UK, your State Pension will be increased to current levels.

How the State Pension is paid if you live abroad

If you live abroad then your State Pension can be paid directly into one of the following:

  • a bank in the country in which you live
  • a bank or building society in the UK

How to claim your State Pension if you live abroad

If you’re a Briton living abroad and have only worked in the UK, you should contact International Pension Centre to claim State Pension.

If you’re a Briton living abroad and you’re currently working overseas, you should claim State Pension through the country where you are still paying contributions.

If you’re a Briton living abroad and last paid pension contributions abroad, you should claim State Pension through the country where you last paid contributions.

If you only spend part of the year abroad

If you divide your time between the UK and abroad you'll have to choose which country you want your State Pension paid into. You can't choose to have it paid in one country for part of the year, and a different country for the rest of the year.

If you decide to come back to live in the UK

In this situation, you can ask for your State Pension to be paid into a UK bank account.

Paying tax on your State Pension

Your tax position will depend on:

  • whether you're classed as 'non-UK resident' for tax purposes
  • the country in which you're living

If you spend part of your time in the UK and part abroad you're likely to be classed as a UK resident. If you move abroad permanently, you're likely to be classed as a non-UK resident.

If you are a non-resident your tax position depends on whether you live in a country with a 'double taxation agreement' with the UK. This means you won't have to pay UK tax on your State Pension, but it will be taxable in the country where you live.

If you live in a country without a 'double taxation agreement', you'll have to pay UK tax and may be taxed again abroad.

It's a good idea to get advice about paying tax on your State Pension if you live abroad. You can contact HMRC Residency.

Making State Pension contributions if you work abroad

If you're working abroad, you may be able to pay into the State Pension scheme of the country where you're working. You can do this in EEA countries and some others, such as Canada and New Zealand, where there are special arrangements.

Depending on how long you work abroad, you can have your contributions credited to your UK State Pension. Alternatively you could receive two pensions - one from the UK and one from the country where you lived and worked. This will be decided when you reach UK State Pension age, taking into account where you live.

Who to contact before you move abroad

If you're moving abroad to live, you'll need to tell:

  • The Pension Service
  • HM Revenue and Customs' National Insurance Contributions Office
  • your Tax Office

You'll also need to give them your change of address.

The Pension Service will usually send you a form about four months before you reach State Pension age. This form asks about any insurance and residence you may have in other countries. If you're less than three months away from State Pension age and you've not received this form, it's advisable to get in touch with the International Pensions Centre (IPC).

If you are living in any EEA country you should claim as follows:

More useful links

Do it online

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