UK State Pensions

Moving to France will not necessarily affect the provision of a state pension for most people. However living costs and euro currency fluctuations could determine if it is beneficial.

Unlike some other countries, if a pension is sourced in the UK, but paid in France, it maintains it’s levels with the UK and is up-rated.

For details of pension payment arrangements, you should contact the Department of Work and Pensions, International Benefits section in Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1YX (0191-218 7269). For those who plan to spend less than three months at a time in France, the easiest course of action is to simply let the payments build up and cash them in on returning to the UK. For longer or permanent stays, payments can still be made to a UK bank account or friend appointed as an agent. The final option is to have the pension paid in France. This can occur usually monthly or quarterly and involves filling in form E121 issued by the DWP in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

A UK state pension will be paid at UK rates and also in UK currency as long as any contributions still due are paid up. In the event of early retirement, you should consider this point carefully.

You should note that the level of pension for UK emigrants bears no relation to French Pension Rates.

See Pension Differences