Receiving your State Pension if you live abroad

If you are about to move abroad and are already receiving a State Pension in the UK, you might like to read this article setting out some of the issues you will need to consider.

If you live part of the year abroad

You must choose which country you want your pension to be paid in. You cannot be paid in one country for part of the year and another for the rest of the year.

Bank accounts your pension can be paid into

Your State Pension can be paid into:

• a bank in the country you’re living in
• a bank or building society in the UK

You can use:

• an account in your name
• a joint account
• someone else’s account – if you have their permission and keep to the terms and conditions of the account

You will need the international bank account number (IBAN) and bank identification code (BIC) numbers if you have an overseas account.

You will be paid in local currency – the amount you get may change due to exchange rates.

When you’ll get paid you can choose to be paid every 4 or 13 weeks and if your State Pension is under £5 per week, you’ll be paid once a year in December.

Delays to payments around US bank holidays

If you live abroad and your payment is due in the same week as a US bank holiday, it could arrive one day late. This is because a US company processes these payments.