US/UK SSN Treaty

Assuming that between the UK & US you have the equivalent of 40 credits (max of 4 credits per year for covered earnings), then you would be eligible for a US benefit. In addition, if you have the equivalent of 11 years of service between the two countries, you would appear to be eligible for a reduced basic pension from the UK.

If you reside in the US, you can apply for US benefits at any US SSA office and simultaneously apply for UK benefits by using Form SSA-2490. If you reside in the UK, contact the benefits folks at the US Embassy in London at 207-499-9000 to apply for US benefits.

Thanks. One thing I am not exactly sure (this is why I asked this question in the first place) is whether paying 1 full year UK NI will be treated as paying 1 full year US SSN (i.e. earning 4 credits)?

reason I am a bit worried is because, in UK, you need to pay 40 years NI in order to qualify a full state pension while in US you only need

Verbatim from the treaty: (a UK contribution is a week)

================================================================ # In determining eligibility for benefits under paragraph 1, the Agency of the United States shall credit:

1. one quarter of coverage for every thirteen contributions or fraction thereof paid or credited in any contribution year before April 6, 1975 under the laws specified in Article

1. one quarter of coverage for every thirteen contributions calculated in accordance with Article 9.5, or fraction thereof, paid or credited in any United Kingdom tax year beginning after April 5, 1975 under the laws specified in Article 2.1(b)(i) and (ii); and

2. one quarter of coverage for each annual contribution factor of 0.25 or any part thereof which has been derived under the laws specified in Article 2.1(b)(iii); and

1. one quarter of coverage for every thirteen contributions or fraction thereof paid or credited in any contribution year under the laws specified in Article 2.1(b)(iv);

provided, however, that periods of coverage credited under United States laws shall not exceed four quarters of coverage in any calendar year.

=============================================================== Basically, if you had covered work all year in the UK, the US would give you 4 quarters of credit.