tonyburlton

This is for the attention of UK expatiates. I have had my Pension suspended due to the fact that I did not complete a Life Certificate and form for pension direct payment to my bank In the Philippines. They say this is a new system to prove i am still alive, because i live abroad and someone else could be fraudulently claiming it.
I never received these forms in the unreliable Philippines post so the first I new about it was when I phoned UK Pensions advisor to ask why i had no Pension payments into my bank by cheque. Who stated if you don't reply in 8 weeks to these forms this happens automatic and they don't warn you by phone, but leave it to you to get in touch.
They now owe me 5 months Pension due to the slowness of jumping through all the hoops they have put, up to get it reinstated.
Can anyone confirm LIFE CERTIFICATES are now the norm for us ex pat's or just discretionary on the part of UK Pensions cntr kind regards Tony

old.sparkles

Just saw you post whilst mooching around so googled it for you.

Does look to be a requirement now - and a yearly one.

Sorry can't be much more help - but try google and see what you find

jackthehat

A cerificate to say that you are alive! - I will put that alongside the 100m Breast-Stroke Certificate! This post has made my day! As you can imagine the Telephone Conversation with the Pensions Agency, if you do not have a Certificate! . . . OK if I do not have a certificate; Therefore, I must be dead! - But i am talking to you! - Therefore, I am Alive and Kicking! - You couldn't make it up!

britishbull

Bet the Filipino who nicked the letter thought he was getting your check!

Pierlek

Hi
We have been living in France for the past 11 yrs.At 76 now I have received my life cert to be filled and attested by an Importnt person.After all no one hpowever important do not understand or write english.Any suggestion?

tropicofcancer

At a meeting in Cebu, the consul said that the embassy would validate this for you free of charge. Obviously you will need to prove who you are.

rizlared

How?? Any idea what ID you need to prove you are, in fact, still alive, and not someone who found your docs when they buried you??

tropicofcancer

Passport with your picture, plus here in Philippines, most will have their ACR card. In Europe a picture driving licence.

jackthehat

Who knows? - Dubious Documentation from the Barangay Captain? - Mayor's Certificate of Incompetence? BIR? Homeowners' Association, Landlord, Tenants, Bank, etc. All a waste of time!


But more than likely they will accept an SM Advantage Card! - Default Password = "Happy to Serve!"

arsenalgirl

lol @ SM Advantage card

coogee

Do you think it would be better to lie about living in the philippines and have your pension paid into a uk bank then you could transfer the money here as required replies welcomed

Gazza-d

There's no need to lie about it. You are quiet at liberty to have your UK pension paid into a UK account irrespective of where you live in the world.

mikelincs

I had to do it several years ago when I was living in Spain, for my private pension.

Gazza-d

I assume you mean a sterling account in the Philippines. I know US Dollar accounts are common, I don't know about other currencies, you will need to ask a few banks to see if they do them. Personally I'm a bit unsure about depositing large ammounts of money in any one Philippine bank with their very low failure garentee and very slow payout when they go under.

coogee

what i meant was if you have a uk address i have but live in the philippines would it not be better to say you live in uk then no more requests for a life certificate form plus have your pension paid into a uk account just a thought