Register to Vote in 2012
Don’t forget to register to Vote! It’s easy to do – just go to www.FVAP.gov, the official U.S. government website for overseas absentee voting information, to start the process. Information is also available from the Embassy website, here
All About Retirement
Social Security is as American as baseball and apple pie. Not everyone likes apples or baseball games, but almost every American who reaches retirement age will receive Social Security retirement benefits. In fact, 96 percent of Americans are covered by Social Security.
If you’re ready to retire in the near future, this article is for you. We’d like to share with you a few important items about Social Security retirement benefits and how to apply for them.
To qualify for retirement benefits, 10 years is normally the minimum. However, the amount of your benefit is determined by how long you work and how much you earn. Higher lifetime Social Security taxable earnings result in higher benefits. If there were some years when you did not work or had low earnings, your benefit amount may be lower than if you had worked steadily or earned more.
If you haven’t worked in the United States for the required 10 years, don’t despair. Social Security has bilateral agreements with several countries and if you have worked in any of these countries it is possible that you can qualify for Social Security benefits. Check out the list of countries: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10180.html.
Also, your age when you retire makes a difference in your benefit amount. The full retirement age (the age at which full retirement benefits are payable) has been gradually rising from age 65 to age 67. You can retire as early as age 62, but if benefits start before you reach your full retirement age, your monthly payment is reduced. Find out what your full retirement age is by referring to the convenient chart in our publication, Retirement Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10035.html. It’s in the second section.
St. Louis Rams to host regular season games in the UK!
In an unprecedented step that begins the next chapter of the NFL’s continued momentum of growing the international fan base, the St. Louis Rams have committed to becoming the first NFL team to play regular-season games abroad on an annual basis, the league announced today.
The Rams will play one regular-season home game in the UK in 2012, 2013, and 2014, beginning with a game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at Wembley Stadium, kicking off at 5:00 p.m. local time (1:00 p.m. ET).
Wembley will be host to all NFL games played in the UK through the 2016 season. More information about this and future ages is available from the NFL UK website – http://www.nfluk.com/
Worldwide Caution for American citizens
The Department of State has issued a Worldwide Caution to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.
Read More from the Department of State’s website here.
Voting Update!
Photo: Be Smart, Vote on FVAP.gov
New absentee voting laws are in effect for the 2012 elections. You will no longer automatically receive ballots based on a previous absentee ballot request. All U.S. citizens outside the United States who want to vote by absentee ballot in the 2012 primary and general elections must complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) every year if they wish to vote from abroad. It’s easy to do – just go to www.FVAP.gov, the official U.S. government website for overseas absentee voting information, to start the process.
If you are an overseas voter wishing to vote in MI, RI, OH, OK, AZ, GA, LA, TN, VT, or VA, the deadline to register/request a ballot is February. Deadlines vary, so check the requirements for your state to make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to vote.
Remember, you cannot vote at the Embassy. Visit www.FVAP.gov for information on how!
Renouncing U.S. Citizenship
Information about renouncing your U.S. citizenship is available from the Embassy website – http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/passports/renunciation.html.
If you have any questions about renouncing your citizenship, and are resident in England and Wales, you can e-mail the Embassy at Londonrenuncations@state.gov for further information.
American citizens resident in Scotland should email the Consulate in Edinburgh at Edinburgh-Info@state.gov for information.
American citizens resident in Northern Ireland, should email the Consulate General in Belfast at Consularbelfast@state.gov
2012 Election Cycle – Begins Now!
Be an active voter! Start thinking about your participation in the U.S. 2012 elections today!
The Consular Section staff at U.S. Embassy London is ready to assist with completing your Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) — the form you need to complete this year to participate in the 2012 elections as an overseas absentee voter. Our purpose is to inform and educate you about your voting rights, to ensure you are able to exercise your right to participate in elections for federal offices (President, Vice President, Senator, and Representative), and to assist you with voting in state or local elections, if allowed by your state.
More information is available from the Embassy website, here, or the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website, www.FVAP.gov
Is your relative an LPR residing outside the United States?
A Lawful Permanent Resident is require to maintain their status under U.S. law. If your relative has been residing outside the United States longer than 12 months or two years if holding a Re-entry Permit, they will require a new immigrant visa in order to return to the United States.
If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen residing in the UK, your spouse may be eligible to file a petition for you with the USCIS office in London. Information about filing a petition for an spouse or immediate relative is available from the Embassy website, here.
From the Federal Benefits Unit – Did You Know?
London’s Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) administers the Social Security Administration (SSA) , Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Medicare and the Department of Labor (DOL) programs in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg and 16 African countries: Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Read more
UK Border Authority Strike 30 November
The U.S. Embassy in London informs U.S. citizens on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 a strike by the members of the four UK Home Office Unions is expected to cause major delays for arrivals into several UK ports of entry, with the most significant impact expected at London’s Heathrow airport. A spokesman for the UK Border Authority said they aim to minimize any disruption caused by the strike, but travelers can expect longer waiting times at some ports and airports. U.S. citizens planning to travel to or from the UK on November 30th should check with their carrier for updates, schedule changes, and options for rebooking
More information is available from the Embassy website, here.
