Going to live abroad is a major decision to take. It makes sense to get a wide range of information and advice to help you plan and make sure the move goes smoothly.

Before you go, you should:

• Make sure you have a valid passport, any visas you might need and a full health plan
• Be clear about your financial situation. For example, find out about tax liability in the UK, social security benefits and National Insurance contributions, and get a pension forecast. Useful websites include the Department for Work and Pensions; HM Revenue and Customs; and Directgov (under 'Britons living abroad’). You can also find out whether offshore banking is appropriate
• Make a will
• Check whether you can continue to vote in UK parliamentary and European parliament elections on the Electoral Commission website
• Find out about accommodation. We can provide lists of lawyers to help you buy property, although we cannot give you legal advice ourselves or get involved in purchases or disputes
• Make sure your car is in line with local regulations and you have the necessary driving permit
• Try to learn the language before you go
• Contact associations and charities for advice. For example, if you are retiring overseas, you could contact Age Concern or Help the Aged. There is also a guide to going abroad for the over-50s on the Saga website. We also have a leaflet called Going to Live Abroad, which you can find on our website
• It sounds obvious but let people know your new address (and any future changes). As well as friends and family you also need to inform the authorities such as HM Revenue and Customs, National Insurance and the Department for Work and Pensions
• When you arrive, register with the local authorities and get a residence permit. You can also register with the local British embassy. You may also need a local bank account
• British nationals who live overseas can receive the same support as visitors
• And you’ll need full travel insurance for your trip, or health care and other appropriate cover if you are living abroad. The Government cannot cover medical costs or refund you for lost property.

There is a charge for some types of consular support. This is to help cover the cost of providing support worldwide. We do not make a profit from these charges.

Changes to the United Kingdom State Pension provisions came into force on 6 April 2005.  These changes provide more choice for people reaching State Pension age and it is important that expatriates have access to this information to help them plan their future.

The new choices mean people:

• can get more extra State Pension for life when they do finally claim; or
• in certain circumstances, can choose a one-off taxable lump sum payment; and
• can put off claiming for as long as they want to earn extra State Pension or build up a lump sum payment

Prior to 6 April 2005, people could put off claiming their State Pension for a maximum of 5 years, and earn 7.5% extra per year, or 1% extra for every 7 weeks deferred.

Changes from 6 April 2005 mean people are able to put off claiming their State Pension for as long as they like to keep earning extra State Pension.  The amount of extra  State Pension which can be earned increased to around 10.4% for each year, or 1% extra for every 5 weeks.  People are able to put off claiming their State Pension for just 5 weeks to earn some extra  State Pension.

From 6 April 2005, customers have a new option - to receive a one-off, taxable lump sum payment if they have put off claiming their State Pension for 12 consecutive months or more after 6 April 2005.  The gross lump sum payment will be the amount of State Pension they would have received, plus interest equivalent to an annual rate of interest 2% above the Bank of England’s base rate.

Between 7 July 2005 and 5 April 2006, the maximum time limits for backdating State Pension will be extended gradually from 3 months to 12 months.

The Pension Service has produced a guide, “Your State Pension choice – Pension now or extra pension later: a guide to State Pension Deferral” (SPD1), which contains more detailed information.  This can be viewed on The Pension Service website

Alternatively, customers who want more information about State Pension can contact the International Pension Centre by calling +44 191 21 82828.  A textphone service is available for those with speech or hearing difficulties on +44 191  21 87280.  All services are available free of charge and if customers are concerned about the cost of the call, our operator will take a contact number and call straight back.  Opening hours are 8am to 8pm (UK time) Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays

If customers are unable to contact us by telephone, the address for correspondence is:

The Pension Service
International Pension Centre (Claims)
Tyneview Park
Benton
Newcastle upon Tyne
England NE98 1BA