Calling .Gov in the UK and on hold times. Very frustrating.
 

HI, I have been trying to access my .gov account in the UK to get a pension forecast, update on NI contributions.
Part of this is the requirement for an access code. I have an account and a password set up already.
The Access code is a new thing for me.

It asks several questions to confirm my identity, of course I cannot answer these as I have been in the US for 22 years.
No driving license, no credit history ect. They give you a phone number to call if you have issues.

I have tried twice now, 30 mins on hold at international plan rates and no answer.

Has anyone managed to actually speak to anyone in the UK .Gov system and how did you manage it?

Thanks

Re: Calling .Gov in the UK and on hold times. Very frustrating.
 

I used to have access but something changed and now I don't. But I know my position now so it doesn't matter.

But if all you want is a forecast, try the old fashioned way https://www.gov.uk/government/public...sion-statement

Re: Calling .Gov in the UK and on hold times. Very frustrating.
 

I've been out of the country for over 20 years and I actually checked my pension forecast earlier this week using credit history and my UK passport number. I answered "no" to all the credit history questions which were simple ones like "have you taken out a credit card in the past 5 years?"

Re: Calling .Gov in the UK and on hold times. Very frustrating.
 

Tried that, can't get past the requirement for a previous UK address that is associated with a credit report.

Re: Calling .Gov in the UK and on hold times. Very frustrating.
 

I phoned a few years ago to the International Pensions Centre and the call was answered very quickly. As for phoning internationally I have a Mint Mobile cheap cell phone plan (using the T-Mobile network) and have free international calls to over 160 countries!

Re: Calling .Gov in the UK and on hold times. Very frustrating.
 

Did you ever get it sorted, we had to change address recently and hubby struggled with two factor as he had changed his phone number. We went through the security question thing - couldn’t use DL as his UK one is expired but managed to use UK passport and the credit questions - it asked for address and we used our last UK address.

Re: Calling .Gov in the UK and on hold times. Very frustrating.
 

I contacted the International Pension Centre a few years ago and don’t remember any two factor security system at that time. The number I called was +44 191 218 7777. As I use Mint Mobile with free international calling, being put on hold for a while wouldn’t cost me anything.