Eligibility for State Pension
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 10
Eligibility for State Pension
Hi, I am writing on behalf of a friend who will be 66 this month and has lived in Spain for 30 years. Before leaving the UK he accrued approximately 18 years of National Insurance Contributions and since living in Spain and running his own business has paid in 18 years of Social Security payments. Can anyone tell me if he is likely to get a pension from Spain based on his contributions and how much this will possibly be. I know the pension rules are complex but would appreciate any information you may have. Thank you
#2
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,008
Re: Eligibility for State Pension
Hi, I am writing on behalf of a friend who will be 66 this month and has lived in Spain for 30 years. Before leaving the UK he accrued approximately 18 years of National Insurance Contributions and since living in Spain and running his own business has paid in 18 years of Social Security payments. Can anyone tell me if he is likely to get a pension from Spain based on his contributions and how much this will possibly be. I know the pension rules are complex but would appreciate any information you may have. Thank you
So its a win win situation for your buddy...
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 71
Re: Eligibility for State Pension
I believe there is a pension forecaster on the UK government pensions website. Haven't looked at it for a few years as it was very depressing to realise how little I was likely to receive!!
#4
Re: Eligibility for State Pension
If I remember correctly, don't you have to apply to the country you last worked in?
#6
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Joined: Jan 2011
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Re: Eligibility for State Pension
Thank you for your swift responses. I will tell my friend and he can get it sorted out starting in Spain. Thanks again.
#7
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Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Oliva
Posts: 474
Re: Eligibility for State Pension
He will get a pension from the U.K., and one from Spain.
#9
Re: Eligibility for State Pension
The advice from them is to put the claim in two months before retirement, in my own case despite doing that it was four months after retirement before they paid anything into my bank, though they did then pay me from the date of my retirement.
#10
Re: Eligibility for State Pension
The UK pension is not automatic, they may or may not notify you but you still have to claim it.
The advice from them is to put the claim in two months before retirement, in my own case despite doing that it was four months after retirement before they paid anything into my bank, though they did then pay me from the date of my retirement.
The advice from them is to put the claim in two months before retirement, in my own case despite doing that it was four months after retirement before they paid anything into my bank, though they did then pay me from the date of my retirement.
#11
Re: Eligibility for State Pension
The EU page says:-
Where should I apply for my old-age pension if I have worked in more than one European country?
You should apply for your old-age pension in the country where you live, once you reach the legal retirement age there.
The pension institution in that country will then forward your pension application to the other European countries where you have accumulated pension rights.
The EUlisses site is at
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_socia.../homepage.psml
#12
Ex Expat
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: West Midlands, ex Granada province
Posts: 2,140
Re: Eligibility for State Pension
I applied by phone for my State Pension in October 2009 (eligible January 2010), they told me how much it would be and that my first payment would be February 1st 2010, all went as they said and the money was there on that day for the amount they said.
This was claiming in the UK though, I don't know what happens if you have to claim your UK Pension in Spain. I tend to think it would not be straightforward as no bureaucracy is in Spain.
This was claiming in the UK though, I don't know what happens if you have to claim your UK Pension in Spain. I tend to think it would not be straightforward as no bureaucracy is in Spain.
#13
Just Joined
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 10
Re: Eligibility for State Pension
Thank you all so much for the very informative information, it is really helpful and will get the ball rolling. Kindest regards.
#14
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Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Chiclana
Posts: 3,327
Re: Eligibility for State Pension
A friend got a state pension from Spain and she certainly didn´t work 15 years in Spain as she left when she was 18.
#15
Re: Eligibility for State Pension
If you have accrued pension rights in other EU countries they all get added together so it is possible to get a pension having never met the minimum requirement in any country.