Evidence of income

My American partner is completing the VAF4 visa application. We are unsure about Part 5.10 Finances and Employment. She is recently retired from a 30 + year career in the US, and her income will include personal savings, and monthly Social Security payments from the US Government. She also has the following: a 401K Individual Retirement account, a 403b pension account, and various investments in several other IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts.)

In the Worldbridge visa application notes, it is stated "There have been particular problems with evidence of funds" and the one we are wondering about specifically states: "The account should. . . .refer to cash funds - investments, insurance policies and pensions are not acceptable."

Since her income will be derived solely from her pension, how can she not include this as evidence of her income?

Thanks in advance for your help!

You actually have two separate issues here.

First proof of income would be any payments that she is currently receiving. The annual social security statement would prove that payment or she can go into her local SS office and they'll give her a dated letter regarding what her payments are. If she is drawing on her retirement plans (the 401k & 403(b)) then she can also provide the statements regarding those payments.

Then you have proof of resources such as savings accounts and other accounts that she would use as back up in case her income is not enough to directly meet the maintanace requirements. Generally speaking these accounts can only be used as such if they are readily liquid, meaning that they can be cashed out and received in a very short amount of time. Like going to a cash point and drawing out money from a savings account. To liquidate a 403(b) account takes at least a week or two (I used to work for the government back in the US and have had 2 of these accounts so I am very familiar with them and their functions and limitations).

Since she is receiving payments from her pensions these are considered income and proof of the periodic payments should be provided from each source. The quote that you cited are if they are just assets or funds that are not currently in payment status as they are not readily able to be liquidated and thereby could not be considered an asset to support maintanace.

Hope that helps.

"The account should. . . .refer to cash funds - investments, insurance policies and pensions are not acceptable."

I suspect that is just badly worded, and instead of "pensions" they actually mean "pension funds". If that were the case, to me it would make a lot more sense.

Thank you WebyJ and John L. That helps a lot.

Thank you WebyJ and John L. That helps a lot.

You are most welcome.