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Claiming your UK State Pension when you live abroad

You can claim your UK 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. But if you return to live in the UK, your UK State Pension will be increased to current levels.

How to claim your UK 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.

• Countries which the UK has a social security agreement with Opens new window

• Download 'State Pension claim form for international applicants (IPCBR1)' (PDF, 981K)

• Help with PDF files

How the UK State Pension is paid if you live abroad

If you live outside the UK then your UK 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

If you only spend part of the year abroad

If you divide your time between the UK and outside the UK you must choose which country you want your UK 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 UK State Pension to be paid into a UK bank account.

Paying tax on your UK State Pension

Your tax position will depend on:

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

If you are a non-UK 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 UK 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.

• Countries with double taxation agreements with the UK Opens new window

• HMRC Residency - read information for non-residents on the HMRC website Opens new window

Making contributions into state pension schemes if you work abroad

If you're working outside the UK, 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 outside the UK, 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 outside the UK to live, you'll need to tell:

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 UK 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 UK State Pension age and you've not received this form, you should contact the International Pensions Centre.

• Contact the International Pension Centre

• HM Revenue & Customs National Insurance Contributions office Opens new window

More useful links

• Tax when leaving or coming into the UK

• HMRC leaflets about tax and living abroad Opens new window

• More information about pensions from the FSA Opens new window

• FAQs about tax and living abroad Opens new window