National Insurance: What Happens to my Contributions after I've Left the UK?

[apel]

I'll be leaving the UK for the US in January (*squee!*) and today was my last working day before I leave. Coming across my National Insurance card while packing, I got to wonder what happens to my contributions after I've left. I've been working for eight years in high-paying IT jobs so I should have paid in a nice sum over the years

Comments

[arosoff]

You need to contact US Social Security. There's a treaty between the US and UK so your NI contributions will count towards Social Security. I don't know the exact details though.

[arosoff]

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/uk.html (overview)

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/international/Agreement_Texts/uk.html (full text)