2 questions as follows...

Background: I obtained a green card around 1999, and am a permanent resident alien. I am returning to the UK in 1 month and i should financially seperate myself from the US I think.

1. Can my 401K can be transfered. i think it is easier to roll it over into a traditional IRA in america, and then transfer that into a UK pension scheme (same international pension company is probably prefered)... Is this correct.

2. Can all the Social security money I have ever paid in be sent to the UK. I think i need to sign a document saying that i am withdrawing all monies and if i return i will not be able to claim from that withdrawn money.

Any help appreciated,

Many Thanks,
Miles.

1) Yes, that makes sense.

2) There IS a totalization agreement with the U.K. that will give you credit for monies paid into U.S. social security.

Thanks for the reply, (AtlantaTaxExpert)

The Prudential financial today said they can not transfer an IRA into the uk Prudential without it being a cash distribution... they seemed to think the us tax office would want the 20%+10%penalty. they are reasearching more in house and will let me know. If that is the case i should leave it as is in the US, and take $8500 distributions each year, after 59˝. Do you agree?

Thanks,
Miles.

Agree. Leave it in the U.S. IRA and manage it using phone and email!