I received my first payment in october 16th this year turned 66 in early seotember recieved 653.00 my weekly pension is 132 pounds per wk this doesnt work out right dont understand it.

Hard to say without knowing your exact birthdate - but please don’t give that out on a public forum! Seems roughly right to me if it’s for 5 weeks or so.

You should be able to log in and see a statement, or just give them a call.

The amount is canadian dollars doesnt seem enough

There will be a letter which takes about a month to arrive, likely via Netherlands.

Yes, it sounds right bearing in mind those are approx amounts.
Sadly logging in seems to be denied to a lot of people living abroad. I set up an account years ago and logged in a few times but then they introduced an authentication step that made it impossible without a UK number.

I remember reading discussions on Gov.uk community forums about it with the officials going through the required process and frustrated users saying they "tried that, but..." pointing out they lived abroad and a UK number was required and after a few more times the officials answering would eventually twig it was impossible.

It reminded me of the hole in my bucket song where the guy needed a bucket to carry water to fix the hole in his bucket but couldn't carry water because there was a hole in his bucket

I know some people have got around it somehow but I tried again earlier this year with success at all the stages (passport, address, credit records) and then no UK number.

It's a pain, but it's easy enough to get a UK phone number. It does usually mean paying a few pounds a month for that though.

And something to supplement or replace a landline with a basic phone without text capability.



As an ex member of the department you'd think they'd give me one of these

The first payment I received was for an odd amount. I guess is was pro-prated from my birthday to the regular payment date. The second and subsequent payments were for my regular monthly amount.

I can log on and HMRC sends the authorization code to my Canadian cell number.

Ah yes, that is rather trickier then if you don't have a mobile!

how do they calculate it is it from the month you turn 66 or is it from the next month the start of your payment they dont make it very clear on letter

Hi folks
I turn 66 in May 2026.ive signed up to the Uk website saying that I’ll recieve 82 pound a wk or more with extra payments.
now I have no idea how to get the ball rolling on this.
can I fly to the Uk for a visit to my sister and apply from there .things like my Canadian banking details etc?
thank you

You must be within four months of your state pension age to claim.

If you call +44 191 218 7777 - Option 1 you can normally complete the application by phone. If not, they will tell you what to do.
You certainly do not need to fly to the UK to do it.

Alternatively you can complete a form from here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-st...ou-live-abroad, but it then has to be printed and mailed to them.

Thank you for the reply.
will they take my banking details etc on the phone ?
so I’ll wait till about February to call then.do I just need the account number on my CIBC check?
that’s great to know .as I was going to go over to the UK to do it in person.
not even sure I could do that as I’ve been here in Canada 37 yrs.
thank you very much again for the advice
Rob

I downloaded the form (linked above) and filled it out on my computer - then kept it for reference when I called them. They also asked me for the last 3 places I worked in the UK, my date of birth, last address, when I left the UK and my NI number (although the NI number isn't necessary if you can't remember it).

I used the information required on this form for banking: https://assets.publishing.service.go...a-claimant.pdf
If you are unsure of any of it you can contact your bank through the messaging system online and ask them for the specific details for receiving a pension from the UK. (Royal bank gave me the exact details in a list to send).

Hi sun shinny
awesome piece of information from you and mid Atlantic it really is much appreciated and very helpful .
ive been dreading the near time to apply as I’m not that savy on the computer..
did you call them and told them what they needed and waited for a payment ,
also did they let you know beforehand if all is good to go?
im not 66 till May but ill be calling about February after I visit my son and he’ll download the papers and I’ll also visit the CIBC and tell them the score.👍
Thank you very much again
Rob