Returning to the UK from abroad - what happens to my pension?

[SmileyHappyPersonHavingFun]

I currently live in an EU country but am thinking about returning to the UK.

I'm 50 now and I'll have been here for 30 years by the time I go back to the UK.

I've always worked here and am on target to retire at 64 with a full pension.

I believe that, in spite of Brexit, there is still a reciprocal agreement on pensions whereby contributions made here will be taken into account in the UK.

Has anyone here had any experience of this?

I need to know what my pension rights would be, how much I would get and when I'd get it before making a decision.

This is something that I plan to do, just the other way, drawing on my UK pension in my EU home country. The UK has mutual agreements with European countries but my understanding is that it depends on the specific country, also the pensionable age at which you can draw your pension differs. This link might be useful: www.onlinemoneyadvisor.co.uk/pensions/pension-transfers/transferring-an-overseas-pension-to-the-uk/#:~:text=in%20international%20transfers-,Can%20you%20transfer%20your%20overseas%20pension%20to%20the%20UK%3F,accept%20incoming%20international%20pension%20transfers.

It’s not clear if you’re talking about the state pension and its equivalent in your country, or if you’re talking about a private/occupational pension you’ve built up - can you clarify?

If it’s the state pension does this help?

www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/living-or-working-overseas-and-state-pension#:~:text=make%20a%20claim.-,Your%20UK%20State%20Pension%20if%20you've%20lived%20or%20worked,up%20the%2010%20qualifying%20years.

Thank you @orangetulipsinbloom and @ChessieFL for your help.

It looks like state pension would be OK, each country would pay me on a pro-rata basis. The paperwork looks horrendous though!

I also have an occupational pension. I hadn't actually realised that this will be a whole other kettle of fish. I guess I'll need to ask them directly if it's transferable. And if it isn't...maybe seriously reconsider my plans.

Good luck with your move @orangetulipsinbloom !