spainrico

Under current UK legislation do people who have not paid sufficient years NI and therefore receive a reduced UK State Pension still get their Spanish healthcare costs fully covered by the UK?

Loafing Along

I think you will find it is age-related not money. In other words as a UK pensioner you should receive the same level of healthcare in Spain irrespective of the size of your pension

spainrico

Thanks - I was just wondering as I will have a reduced pension as I have a shortfall of UK NI contributions, and given it will be further reduced as I am in a private pension scheme I wondered if they also insisted on full contributions before providing health cover.

Loafing Along

You know you can make up any shortfall if the time period is not too great.

Fred James

So long as you are receiving a UK State pension you are eligible for an S1 form which gives full healthcare in Spain.

I am not aware that it is based on what % of the full pension you get. My wife was issued with an S1 with only a 60% pension - I was also included as a dependent as I had not yet retired.

spainrico

Thanks folks that answers my question.

mikelincs

why will it be reduced as you are in a private scheme?, I receive an NHS pension, but still get the full state pension.

spainrico

Because my company made reduced NI contributions to pay into my private pension. Lucky you! having worked for the government ( assume). Enjoy!

Loafing Along

Surely that is what used to be known as "Opting out" - you get that portion back through your private company scheme when you are 65 so while your State Pension may be reduced you should see some compensatory payment from the private scheme

spainrico

Yes that is the idea, I am not complaining just wondered if it impacted on healthcare rights. It appears to be very difficult (impossible?) to get an accurate state pension forecast when you have opted out.

tebo53

Why will it be further reduced? I retired early on a private pension 2 years ago and I've just had a letter about my state pension being slightly higher than the new style pension as I've aquired some 'Protected' pension from years back. I was also 'opted out' for many years.

Steve

Loafing Along

"They" are obliged to send you one up to two years before retirement date. Where are you resident - UK or Spain ? If in Spain you will have to do the whole of the process through the Spanish Social Security , UK will not deal with you direct ( having said that the Overseas Office in Newcastle (?) where very helpful ).

Loafing Along

That is a bit different, I had the same - period many years ago when I was employed in the UK and was paying Class 1 contributions. Afterwards, having opted out switched to Class 3 so at 65 go basic plus "a bit", plus "another bit" on top of my company pension.

tebo53

[QUOqTE=spainrico;12080565]Yes that is the idea, I am not complaining just wondered if it impacted on healthcare rights. It appears to be very difficult (impossible?) to get an accurate state pension forecast when you have opted out.[/QUOTE]

You can get a accurate quote from the pension office if you fill in the correct forms on the Internet or ring them direct. They will tell you how much you are entitled to.

tebo53

They will deal with you direct as they sent me my retirement quote here to Spain. Also asking if I wanted it paid to a UK bank or a chosen bank in Spain. Ring them direct or send a request form.