pension problems
Oct 8th 2009, 9:19 am
#16
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 27
Re: 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.
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.
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
Oct 8th 2009, 2:19 pm
#17
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 104
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
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
I will update when received.
Oct 8th 2009, 2:25 pm
#18
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 104
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
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
Oct 8th 2009, 3:34 pm
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 144
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.
Oct 8th 2009, 5:50 pm
#20
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,835
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.
Oct 8th 2009, 7:54 pm
#21
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 104
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.
Oct 8th 2009, 8:01 pm
#22
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 104
Re: pension problems
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.
Oct 9th 2009, 4:36 pm
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,754
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.
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.
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.
Oct 9th 2009, 5:04 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 104
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.
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.
Oct 9th 2009, 6:26 pm
#25
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,754
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.
Oct 9th 2009, 6:39 pm
#26
The Kwisatz Haderach
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: North Wales
Posts: 8,080
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.
Oct 9th 2009, 6:49 pm
#27
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,754
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.
Oct 9th 2009, 7:59 pm
#28
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,835
Oct 9th 2009, 8:04 pm
#29
The Kwisatz Haderach
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: North Wales
Posts: 8,080
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.
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.
Oct 9th 2009, 8:13 pm
#30
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,754
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.
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.