>Are you referring to UK National Insurance contributions? I've never paid both UK and US contributions and, AFAIK, since the US and UK have a totalization agreement in place there is no benefit in doing so. What advice did Andy receive on this ?
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>AFAIK, there is a tax treaty in place between the 2 countries in terms of income tax. Andy checked with the DHSS and the Inland Revenue as to what he needed to do to ensure that his status remained "paid up" for NHS and pension purposes in case we decided to move back.

I'm pretty sure the reciprocal agreement applies to NI as well. If you pay in the UK you get a certificate so you don't pay in the US.
OTOH if you choose not to make voluntary contributions to UK NI you can always top it up later to ensure your pension entitlement (I know that's true because I never paid for several years when abroad and am allowed to pay a lump sum in lieu prior to reaching pension age. IAC you only have to accrue 20 years worth of payments to ensure the basic state pension.

But then I thought you both intended taking responsibility for your own welfare rather than depending on the state (g,d&r).....