DWPinSpain

Hello everyone

I am posting on here as part of the new DWP team in Spain. We run a general information service of Expats about their rights to pensions, benefits and healthcare. A lot of good stuff can be found here:

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-...ions-benefits/

but...I'm also happy to answer any questions you have.

FYI - the British Consulate in Barcelona is holding two open days next week in Girona (10th) and Tarragona (11th). You have to register beforehand to attend and the link to do this can be found here:

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-...fits/open-day/

Regards

DWP Spain

Fred James

Welcome DWPinSpain.

I am sure your input will be very useful on this forum.

scampicat

Thank you, that will be very useful!

jdr

Welcome DWPinSpain, nice to see you here.

Just to get the ball rolling.

I have paid a full whack of insurance stamps to qualify for a full pension, but when I claimed my pension I was told as I left the UK, despite still being in another country in the EU where I can claim my pension, before I was 65 I have lost 9% of my pension, this is loosing me 15 pounds a week and with the exchange rate as it is very frustrating.
Apparently from 60 to 65 you are credited the extra years ? although I have already paid enough stamps according to HM Revenue and Customs Nat Ins Conts Office, International Pensions said they would contact them and see what I needed to pay for a full pension, I had a final bill for 6 pounds 80 pence recently.
If this is the case then it is extremely unfair as it is supposed to be a European community so I feel that I should be entitled to these credits as if I was in the UK.
Please don`t tell me to pay the back stamps as I have already paid 43 years worth and I would be about 71 before I broke even, if I am still here.
In 2010 I would of only need 30 years stamps for a full pension, I am definately not a happy bunny, what ever is going on. :curse:

TIA for your reply.

Chiclanagir

Some clear information on here. Glad you posted.

Dxf

Hi DWP in Spain,

And Welcome. I hope that you don't live to regret it - I feel you may be inundated by obscure queries. Good Luck

Davexf

Fred James

If you have paid 43 years then you are only one year short and should be getting about 97% of the full pension.

Incidentally the pay back period for paying voluntary contributions is about 3 years. It's actually a very good deal.

whitelinen

If they are salaried they should be prepared to answer all questions however obscure surely?

jdr

There is a slight discrepancy between HM E and C and the pension people.
I got a bill for total contributions owed for 6 pounds 80 pence, but the pension people listed 5 years owing and said I could pay any of 4 of them to get 100%.
I paid stamps from 15 years old to 59, 44 years but apparently the first year is not counted, why not ?
I sent them a copy of the paid bill, but as it takes 6 to 8 weeks to get a reply I am still waiting for a reply.
I have been trying to sort my claim out since early September. ;-((

Fred James

It sounds like a nice little challenge for our new member to advise on.

We await his (her) comments with interest!

anna58

And can you help us Portuguese? Are the rules the same for us?

JDR, that doesn't sound atall fair and I think my husband may be in the same position. Have had a glass of wine (and driven from Portugal to Nueva Andalusia today) so will look again tomorrow!

LittleWeed

Welcome to the forum and thank you for offering some advice to the members here. It´s great to see the consulate taking an active interest in the welfare British expat community.

DWPinSpain

Thank you for the welcome and there are some interesting questions on here. I'll post again on Thursday.

mikelincs

As this is likely to be a very popular and useful thread, any way any mod can make it a sticky, so it's always at the top?

jdr

I may keep it live for a while yet. ;-))