UK Pension Help
 

Hi there...
Great forum this! Loving it...
I'm a 58 year old Kiwi, with a British Passport, currently living in New Zealand.
However, I did live/work in the UK for around 13 years, and made NI contributions during that time, and have decided to return to the UK in the next few months to live permanently.
I know I'm entitled to a UK State Pension, but am unsure about:
1. How much I'm entitled to; and
2. How the NZ-UK pension agreement, which allows for my residence in NZ to count towards the NI Scheme in the UK, helps?
I've tried logging into the UK's Government Gateway to ascertain the above but - while I know my NI number - it keeps asking for a UK postal code, so is no help at all, I'm afraid...
Has anybody had a similar experience...?
Thanks...

Re: UK Pension Help
 

I couldn't create an ID on the Government Gateway either, until I returned to the U.K. last year. However, a few years earlier I did get all my UK pension details, NI history and sign up to pay voluntary NI contributions. I did all this via letter and the post office. I found them (DWP) to be very responsive.

Re: UK Pension Help
 

Thanks durham_lad ... I was thinking that was likely the best way to go, yeah?
:)
Andrew

Re: UK Pension Help
 

As you are not in UK you need to contact the International Pensions centre. They will send you a pension forecast. https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre
the reason the Government Gateway needs a UK postcode is because they send you an activation number by post and it has to be used within (I think) 7 days otherwise it becomes invalid. Once you have it then you can log in from anywhere - but now they send a code to your mobile to input when you try to log in. works well tho' . I used it the other day as HMRC sent me email to say there was a message for me - it was next fiscal years tax code details.

Re: UK Pension Help
 

Thanks quiltman! Appreciated...
:)
Andrew

Re: UK Pension Help
 

you are welcome!

Re: UK Pension Help
 

Quiltman i have used the on line contact several times and always get a Maelor demon reject, I just tried again

''This is the mail system at host g4t3426.houston.hpe.com.

I'm sorry to have to inform you that your message could not
be delivered to one or more recipients. It's attached below.''

Same again sadly

Re: UK Pension Help
 

I keept getting that same message, and when I called, the woman hung up on my after my hour on hold. Anyone know how to get around that Mailer Demon bounceback?

Re: UK Pension Help
 

I used this method https://www.signin.service.gov.uk/start as an alternative.

It works but you need something that can be checked.

Re: UK Pension Help
 

That just brings me right to a page saying there is an error. It's not asking for a post code or anything. I'm trying to use the email form on the international pensions page, but it keeps bouncing back. I tried calling, but the woman hung up on me.

Re: UK Pension Help
 

Once you get going with voluntary contributions its all very simple. You just have to realize it takes them around four months to post the latest contribution to the amount shown.

Re: UK Pension Help
 

I always found Nat Ins Contributions (International Section) in Longbenton very efficient. I stared dealing with before internet and cheap international phone calls. I used the postal service for contact. I paid arrears and continued to pay and bingo when I turned 65 I started to get my State Retirement Pension.

Now I am an active militant in the Pensioners' Movement - a "Grey Panther" !