Ok this helps a bit. We're sure we can get a sponsored visa from his company, but we don't have the 945 in savings (continuously) for the last 3 months, so we're trying to figure another way around that. I think I read somewhere that if the sponsor says we won't claim benefits, then we don't have to meet the savings requirement. Am i reading correctly?
That's what it says in the link for the Tier 2 General visa, but you won't be applying for that visa, you will be applying for a Tier 2 ICT visa (sorry, I posted the wrong link for you - I was at work and posting from my phone, so I didn't have time to check all the details).
For a Tier 2 ICT visa, in order to get around the savings part, the employer needs to certify that they will support and accommodate you for the first month of UK employment. If there are dependants too (you and any children), the company must also certify that they will provide at least another £630 for each of you for that first month:
You don’t need to have £945 in savings if your sponsor is fully approved (‘A-rated) and they can certify that they’ll support and accommodate you for the first month you’re employed - check your sponsor’s rating.
(
https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-intracompany-transfer-worker-visa/eligibility)
and
You won’t need evidence of your savings if you have a letter from your fully approved (‘A-rated’) sponsor saying they’ll provide 1 month’s funding of at least £630 for each of your dependants.
(
https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-intracompany-transfer-worker-visa/family-members)
Basically, if the company is not able to do this, you're going to have to wait until you have had the full amount savings in your account for at least 90 days.
Also, bear in mind that if you are applying for Tier 2 ICT Dependant visas for yourself and any children, the savings requirement is higher... you will also need an extra £630 per person applying for a dependant visa on top of the £945, and it must all have been in the account for 90 days.
So, if there are 3 of you (you, your husband and 1 child), you will need savings of £2,205 in your account for 90 days before applying.
I'm also thinking if we're there for 5 years, we can apply for ILR, then later apply for citizenship after 10 years. Am I following the timeline right?
No, not if you're on a Tier 2 ICT visa (or are dependants of that visa).
No one on a Tier 2 visa can qualify for ILR or citizenship. You can only qualify for ILR/citizenship on a Tier 2 ICT visa if that visa was issued before April 2010 (in that case, it would be ILR after 5 years, then citizenship after holding ILR for 12 months).
As your visas will be issued in 2014/2015, you will only be allowed to stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years and then you will have to return to live in the US without being able to apply for ILR or citizenship.