Could well be - or they've been reading too many tabloid articles about the Costa del Crime so they think we're more likely to be fraudsters here in Spain!

I just need to get a third form now for my trade union pension and I'll have the full set. I get those pretty often (every 2 years I think) but they are easy as they don't require anybody to witness my signature or confirm my ID, the form is emailed to me so no postal delays (and cheaper for them) and just asks me to confirm my personal details and answer a few questions such as my pensioner number in the scheme, amount of monthly pension currently being received etc., then I can email it back to them and they acknowledge receipt immediately.

Likewise for my CAA pension.

Not just Brits

Handily there are subtitles available.
(for all the bloody use they are )

I wondered exactly the same (again) the other day: I had asked DWP by 'phone ages ago if I could align their POL requests with the Swiss, was told "it's in the computer" rather than being offered any hint as to frequency of said requests.

And now the Swiss are back to me 'reminding' me that these things are 'random'

Swiss ... random ...

I think that idea might be full of holes.

That's what the DWP told me when I got two PoL in six months

Just received my first 'Life certificate' in my 3rd UK Government state pension year.

I think I will try the pharmacist, he is a friend of mine.

Well, if it gets too frustrating he can always give you something to calm the nerves!

Good point!

My dad had one of these the other day. it had his National insurance number on it.. but it came normal post.

Why pay more to send it back? he sent it normal, after the dentist signed it.

I sent mine back by normal post on 17th January. As I hadn't received a text message from them after nearly 4 weeks, I was getting a bit concerned so I rang them this morning. A very nice lady said they'd received it on 28th January but it hadn't been processed yet, she would get it done for me today and I would receive my text message later. So if your Dad doesn't hear anything back after a few weeks I would advise him to give them a call.

We both got these on the same day last December and having got them stamped we had them hand carried to UK by friends going back for Xmas and they were posted in the new year, no need to risk them in the pre Xmas post chaos!

I got an SMS a couple of weeks ago but the wife hasn't had one yet so she'll probably be phoning this, week, she did get her pension yesterday
​

Best of luck with that.

I tried my bank manager (who I know) - no way
I tried my pharmacist (who I know well) - no way
I tried my lawyer - no way


In the end I had to go to the civil registrar at the courts who were able to print of a form for me - seems only they can do it in Spain (or so they say). On the plus side, cost nothing!

It was the same for me. No-one seemed to wand to take on the responsibility. I was told that it is the same for Spanish people in my town.

Rosemary.

My text message from the DWP confirming that the Life Certificate has now been processed did indeed arrive at 2 pm today, 4 hours after I phoned the International Pensions Centre. The people there are always so helpful.

I was dismayed to read the other day that Capita have been the awarded the contract to handle the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme starting in September of this year. Everything that company touches seems to go to the dogs in pretty short order. Just read about the problems people in the Teachers' Pension Scheme are having with them. I am not looking forward to having to deal with them at all.

Teachers’ Pensions won’t pay me my pension – until I confirm I’m not dead | Pensions | The Guardian