pension problems
 

is anyone having problems with the international pension service? I feel that I am on a merry-go-round. I have applied for a UK pension and have received so many different and incorrect answers from the pension service that my head is spinning.
When I initially inquired, I was told I was not eligible at all as I did not work for the required time. I accepted this. Then I found out that I could use my US contributions and/or pay voluntary contributions so determined to apply.
Now I find that the time span for voluntary contributions has expired. I am so mad because if I had been informed correctly I would have paid VC.
I have sent in documents which cannot be found even though the US Post office tracking system says delivered. I also sent a letter of complaint. Once again registered mail and delivered but no one can find it. This is all very discouraging. I am not looking for something for nothing.
These are not large amounts but as I am hoping to return to UK with few assets and do not plan on claiming extra benefits, every little bit will help.

Re: pension problems
 

Have you tried emailing them?

They can't claim to lose emails............. can they?

Re: pension problems
 

Hi Alba, can I ask you, how long did you work in the UK for before leaving? I have just applied for my UK pension, have not heard anything back yet, keeping my fingers crossed that I wlll get something.

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Emails are not acceptable so they tell me. (I have emailed in past) I wanted to scan the signed complaint letter and Email. They told me no. Has to be mailed. I need to have my documents returned when they have reviewed them.

Re: pension problems
 

Less than the 10 years they say are required.
Check to see if you can pay Voluntary Contributions or use your Canadian benefits. there is a Canadian UK pension site which has a lot of information.
sorry don't have address but if you google it, it should come up. Rules for payments depend on pension eligibility time lines. I am still waiting for answers and an amount if any.

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Thanks Alba1, The Canadian PP is not reciprocal with the UK. I have already sent all my forms to Newcastle and should hear something in the next few weeks. I do know, from reading their website, that it is too late to make up any back payments to qualifly for a bigger pension. So, I will just have to wait; keep us posted as to what your experience is.

Re: pension problems
 

I am now being told the same thing. It all depends on when you reach pension age. However, I was NOT informed and/or told the wrong things. and missed this cut off by a few months. I will be surprised if anyone admits they were wrong or made a mistake. I think they will band together to cover up. I was warned that they would "mess me about " and this is probably why my correspondence and documents are missing. I had to send some of the same documents to US soc sec and I had them returned within a week.
It makes me very nervous about returning home.

Re: pension problems
 

But surely you are getting a payment from your US contributions? (private super I assume)?

Re: pension problems
 

Don't let this one thing discourage you from going home, as far as I can calculate the pension would be very small anyway, perhaps USD$80 a month. I know it would help put food on the table, but is not a large enough amount to make that much difference, I don't think. Just remember all the other reasons you want to go home; when you get there I am sure you could find a way of making up such a short fall in your finances. Elizabeth

Re: pension problems
 

The closer I get to full retirement $80-$100 month looks like more and more. Yes, I will receive a US pension but who can live on pensions alone without substantial
private funds and/or savings. After the downturns of the last 3 years looks like I will not have any or much of these. As a single I have only myself to rely on.
Work in UK may be out of question even though I would be willing.

Re: pension problems
 

I'm not "having a go" but there's a difference in being misinformed and not informed. Some things are for the person to find out themselves; the DWP isn't able to go chasing everyone to advise potential solutions in numerous different situations.

However if by not informed you mean you asked a question and a response failed to address it or you were misinformed and you can show either of those alternatives - copies of letters etc then you may be able to claim compensation if you're out of pocket..

That department has long had a system for making good where people have lost out.

Proving it might be a problem although you say you have proof something was delivered. That could help.

You might be surprised by admissions of errors. They do happen...errors and admissions I mean. ;)

If they investigate and find the same staff member has been involved in similar complaints that might also be enough to sway them.

You never know until you try.

Re: pension problems
 

I understand and that seems to be the argument for the pension office. However if a question/inquiry as to eligibility for pension is posed, then I feel it is the obligation of the answering civil servant to volunteer any information to enable the inquirer to qualify. (eg. use of US quarters and payment of VC,) not just baldly state 10 years...you woldn't have enough. At least they should guide in the right direction. I trusted what they told me and didn't bother applying until what I was told by the US authorities caused me to check into it again. It never occurred to me that they could be wrong or just not feel like telling me. As for the obligation of the pensioner to find out for themselves....How does someone living in another country have the ability to find these things out or know to ask about them if they have no connections with the homeland anymore. If they manage to find a phone number to call for information, how could they possibly KNOW what to ask. I get pretty riled up at this. How many people in their 60's and older are not familiar with
computers and would still be ignorant of the facts.? If there is a department that deals with International pension claims, then they should be aware of the basics and be willing to share this basic information with the public who have every right to know their rights. Isn't that their job? OK off my soapbox...nothing personal intended. I have read your posts on other threads and have found them pretty informative and helpful so please don't be offended at me sounding off. I am just so frustrated. You wouldn't believe it. I have tried to complain. They told me where to send it. then When I called to see if they got it said it was the wrong place but that as I had already sent it they would forward it....still not found.

Re: pension problems
 

No offence taken and I would believe how frustrated you feel. :)

This is the part I meant about how can the DWP be expected to track people down because of what might be important to each individual. It's just not possible to do that with the numbers involved even if they were all in the same place.:blink:

But, yes, once you ask questions, the answers should certainly come. And some other stuff too to cover other possibilities common to the situation.

Re: pension problems
 

Two days ago I called the pension service and demanded to speak to whomever was in charge of complaints I was told the Claim department would contact me. I also put a trace on my letters which were listed as delivered but not logged as received.
Today, I received a message on my answering machine from the same woman who is handling my claim stating that they now have my letter of complaint and that she would return my documents tomorrow.
No explanation of what, if anything, will be done
How can a complaint be resolved by the same people I am complaining about?
It was her supervisor who was the worst. I know she will not admit errors and /or omissions just by our previous conversations. I guess I am supposed to guess the next step in this procedure.

Re: pension problems
 

I believe you can buy back in for up to six years. Maybe this will give you the required years of contributions? Maybe this site will help:

http://www.pensionsorter.co.uk/


It would seem that there is a "Minimum Income Guarantee" for those with savings of less than 6000 pounds.

http://www.pensionsorter.co.uk/pensi...ple.html#bbbbb

Re: pension problems
 

Hi alba1,

It took the DWP 4 months to sort out my pension. I had to request 2 revisions as they got it wrong twice before finally arriving at the correct figure. I was in Australia so I can't help you with respect to your entitlements. Australia had a reciprocal agreement with the UK up until 2001 and I'm not sure what the situation is with the US.

I've heard of many peolple having problems with the DWP. I think they have a very poor system. You hardly ever communicate with the same person twice, and instead of writing and answering your questions, they often just send you a form. I think you have to be persistent.

All the best and don't give up,
Adelia

Re: pension problems
 

New Installment... called Pension Service today. 2 international calls...found out complaint has been opened and they are sending me a letter in reply.
I will update when received.

Re: pension problems
 

sorry forgot to reply...US and UK have agreement. US contributions can be used. I requested the formula so that i could check figures but woman told me it was too complicated. she rambled a bit. I figured it was prorata but cannot come up with the same answer as her so maybe she's right and it is too complicated.

Re: pension problems
 

Alba1, don't hold your breath waiting for a letter, I have just read, online, that the UK Postal Union has voted for an all out strike.

Re: pension problems
 

Don't know if a postal strike would necessarily delay things. DWP and Civil Service Pension letters have been arriving here via France or Sweden. They may use a courier rather than Royal Mail.

Re: pension problems
 

this would be my luck.. You have to have a sense of humor about all this. It's like a never ending saga. Hopefully my documents get off prior to this.

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I am sure that everything will be prioritized. Though I am not sure how important a complaint is. I have been told that my complaint is official now and that the decision will be made by an independent third party. I sure hope so. I would accept correspondence by email and/or phone( except the docs. of course) They are not set up for that but can fax. I no longer have my fax and do not want to have this go through my work. So now I wait.

Re: pension problems
 

Have you though of using your small number of UK NI payments to top up you're US payments? That way you'd get some credit for them and a slightly larger US SS payment.

Look on the bright side US social security is a better benefit than the UK state pension anyway. How many years of US SS payments do you have? have you obtained a payment projection from the SS Administration.

There are a number of good booklets available on this subject and it's important to check up on the rules every so often. I've been in the US for over 20 years and have been doing Class3 and then Class 2 payments for all that time. In fact the pension service told be a few years ago that I will be able to stop payments when I get to 30 years worth, but won't be eligible for a UK pension until I'm 66.

Re: pension problems
 

yes, I checked into both ways.

Re: pension problems
 

So use the UK payments to top up the US SS. The only thing you will have missed out on is paying UK voluntary contributions. Many people are glad that they don't have to continue NI when they leave the country. You'll get a pension that is probably more than most UK residents based on your US SS.

Re: pension problems
 

Depending on exchange rates, it may not be such a great thing, or a wonderful thing :lol:

Re: pension problems
 

The dollar would have to really collapse. Basic UK pension is now 95 pounds a week. I have 15 years of US SS contributions and my projected pension at 62 is already $250 a week. Using $1.6/pound that's 156 pounds/week. Of course my US SS is based on my earnings and I haven't included the UK supplementary pension as I don't get that.

Re: pension problems
 

Like the £ has against the $CAN you mean?
The £ was at $2.40 in 2004. It's $1.65 now.:(

Re: pension problems
 

Are you sure you are reading that right.
I just pulled my forecast out, after close to 20 years (a few 0 income years in there having babies) I am forecast to receive $275 a MONTH.
I'm hoping to add my years to the UK pension just to make it up a bit.
We should be OK, Dh's US forecast is over $1,000 a month Plus his teamster pension.

Re: pension problems
 

Yes I'm sure. The US SS calculation depends on the amount you earn as well as number of years you pay in so there can be a lot of variation. I haven't paid US SS for a few years as I work for state government and have a state retirement plan, but I still keep up my NI contributions.

Re: pension problems
 

Thank you for your input but none of this actually helps my problem which is a dispute with the Pension service. I have done my homework now and have determined what is best for my situation. Yes my US pension is at the moment
(per exchange rates) substantially more than the UK State pension....But, does
anyone actually live on that. I understand that there is 2nd pension, savings credit and numerous benefit entitlements. I will not be getting them so my UK state pension, little as it may be is important to me.
Mommy in foothills..don't worry too much. Union pensions are normally quite substantial and should be larger than soc. sec.
Also you can claim as dh's wife and receive roughly 1/2 of his, You can only claim on 1 ...whichever is larger. Social Security is very good and will try to advise you. I just went through this. All it took was a phone call. the intake person asked questions, checked records and advised as to where I could get largest amount. she estimated on the phone, I sent documents which were back in my hands within 7 business days and 20 days after my initial phone call I received an award letter and 6 weeks from the call my first check. I was very and pleasantly surprised at their efficiency. They also suggested I check into UK pension again.

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Yes, you are correct Bristol, I have just received a letter from Pension folks that came through France. Way to go EH!!:thumbsup:

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Good to know thanks :thumbup:

Re: pension problems
 

I'm not sure we are understanding each other. The issue seems to be getting credit for your UK NI contributions that don't quite qualify you for a UK pension unless you are allowed to make some catch up payments. Can you use those payments to supplement your US SS payments and thus get a larger US SS check?

Re: pension problems
 

No, I can't. The issue is that due to misinformation or lack thereof I am now not allowed to pay voluntary contributions. I am still qualified for a minute
UK pension but voluntary contributions would have changed this from minute to small. This has nothing to do with my US pension.
the US-UK social security agreement does allow for use of either's contributions to allow to catch up for qualification. However no money actually changes hands and benefits are calculated by using a formula that no one seems to be willing to share. I was told it was pro-rata. I will follow that up when I get a written determination. All I have now is a verbal amount.

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Alba, I am sorry if this question is too personal, if it is please do not answer it, but can you say how long you worked in the UK for and how much the amount you were quoted was? Your information and experience with the UK pension people is touching many of us.

Re: pension problems
 

So are you saying that as your US SS payments qualify you for a US pension you cannot use your UK NI payments to top it up?

How may years of UK NI contributions do you have? when did you ask about UK voluntary contributions and how old are you now? You should be able to pay for 6 years in the past and obviously make contributions form now on.

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no I am saying I do not want to do it that way.

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Well the next question is, why not? You might end up with a bigger pension than if you use your NI contributions for the UK pension

How may years of voluntary NI contributions will you be able to make if you start now?

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I could make 2 years contributions now but they would not help as they would be duplicated by my US contributions. I need to be able to make the contributions I missed out on due to their misinformation. I am not using my US contributions as I have a widow's pension. The widows pension is not subject to WEP adjustment.