Process of claiming UK state pension
 

In a few months I shall be eligible and wanting to claim my UK state pension. I'm all set on qualification matters, been paying NI type 2, etc. My question is about the actual process of claiming. I'm looking at the form they require and thinking that there are chunks of the form content I simply do not know.

1. Has anyone been through the process recently?
2. If so, how fully were you able to complete the form and still get your pension?
3. I am looking at form IPC BR1 GOV NSP 12/15 ...is this correct?

Any tips would be welcomed please.

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

What kind of information can you not supply? Where I couldn't remember something, I stated just that. For instance, it asked about time spent in the UK and I entered the time that I actually lived there, and in the Other Information section (along with other facts I wanted to convey) stated that I had taken vacations there every couple of years for the last 36 years, but could not supply specific dates. When I wasn't sure about a street number where I'd lived before leaving I put (?) after it. They know a lot about you, so as long as you are on the right track with your answers, you'll be fine.

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

I flogged myway through that form about 18 months, trying really hard to include everything, but aware that there was stuff I couldn't remember.
Despite some omissions there was no problem with getting the pension.

However...

I had a grrrr moment later reading about other expats who had, apparently, been able just to phone the DWP... & getting their pension!

Maybe call them first, in all innocence and take it from there?

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

Thanks for the response. It is indeed primarily all the details of time in and out of the UK, employer addresses (some of which no longer exist) and payroll references, long ago dates, etc. My approach would be to do my best on a month & year basis. From what you say that should be good enough. There's also a complication arising from having worked on the Isle of Man and the 2016 change that separated the IoM NI scheme from the UK scheme but I can only work on the assumption they understand those complexities. I suspect Part 10 (Other Information) may be quite wordy :-)

Thanks again.

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

Definitely call them first. I called with a question about the form and they said they had everything they needed and to forget the form. It took all of 10 minutes!

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

Thank you for responding. A telephone call versus a 20+ page form? Sounds too good to be true. However, I think a slow, steady attack on the form should be possible now hearing that they seem to be understanding and not overly strict over what information may be missing. In anticipation I've left plenty of time to get this done.

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

Were you able to provide banking details to them as part of that phone call?

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

Bear in mind that, for some sections, the form requires documentary evidence.
Also they will take several months to process your claim.

Thanks for confirming that!

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

Yes, everything they needed was done by phone.

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

I had been paying voluntary NI contributions for years and a couple of months before my 67th birthday they sent me a letter stating what my benefits would be and asked me to confirm that I wanted to start receiving it. This was 2 years ago.

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

Yep call them it will almost certainly get sorted on the phone, mine did. Including getting the wife's pension increased to 60% of mine. Doubt mine it took as long as MidAtlantic's.

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

Thanks to all who have responded. Great information from you.

As said, I'm a tad ahead on this so need to let some weeks pass before I get within the 4 months lead-time. I assume the office / telephone number is as is on the form, the International Pension Centre and the .....7777 telephone number. As soon as the window opens I'll try calling them.

Thanks again.

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

hi Celticgrid

i note your last year post as to uk pension sent to international location

im seeking to know correct form for international pension did you use ,?,,,,below form ? i note 3 forms like this ?

1. I am looking at FROM IPC-BR1-GOV-NSP-12/15 ..is this correct? how did you get your form ? online link or sent to you via pension dept ?

not sure if calling them instead would work as i belive they want to see actual birth certificates etc etc any comments ?....
any help in your succesfull application would be helpfull.
best
kerry
from canada !

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

hi lansbury

i am like you in process of applying for uk pension paid to me in canada

you said you called them ? did you send no actual documents or proof of documents etc ?

any helpful hints would be appreciated


best
kerry

Re: Process of claiming UK state pension
 

We just did this from Canada a couple of months ago. Hubby called up and they took all of the information over the phone. It took 15 minutes. Now how long it takes before we actually get the pension is another matter.