I qualified for social security in USA by working here for more than 30 years. Prior to that I worked in the UK for about 10 years. However I also made voluntary contributions to the UK social Security system whilst I worked in the USA. I currently live in the USA. I qualify for social security payments from both countries.I am over the age of 68 years. Seeing that I meet the Windfall provisions can I apply for social security/pension from both countries.

Hi. Yes, you could definitely apply for Social Security benefits from both the U.S. and the U.K. However, if you meet the regular insured status rules to qualify for a U.K. pension and if you start collecting that pension, then your U.S. Social Security retirement benefit rate may be reduced due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP),

Once you start receiving a pension from the U.K., the only way that your U.S. Social Security retirement benefit rate would not be reduced due to WEP is if either a) the only reason that you qualify for a U.K. pension is because you received credit for your U.S. earnings based on the totalization agreement between the two countries (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10199.pdf), or b) if you have at least 30 years of 'substantial' U.S. Social Security covered earnings. The yearly amounts that Social Security defines as 'substantial' for WEP purposes are listed on page 2 of the following Social Security publication: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf.

Our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) is fully programmed to handle benefit computations involving WEP, so it sounds like you should strongly consider using our software to fully analyze all of your various options so that you can determine your best filing strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry