lansbury

Yes but at the time she applied I was three years from being eligible to claim my UK pension. She wasn't entitled to 60% of mine until I could apply for it. So she didn't qualify at the time she applied, she only had 7 or 8 years in the UK system. But as she qualified for SS she was told her US credits couldn't be used. A fact I was told by several on here was correct.

morpeth

This all interesting because I was accepted to pay Class 3 contributions even though I hadn't worked in UK a full three years before.

durham_lad

tht

Russet

I mailed ours about 2/3 weeks ago, so will keep you informed. When I called I was advised they were very busy and had a back log but implied that we should hear back before the end of the UK tax year.

branmin

Been going through the threads and could someone just clarify something for me please. I just over the phone finally claimed my UK state pension, answered all the questions and it all went well and will start to receive it from end of June onwards by having it sent directly to my bank in the UK. Its about £168.00 per week. I realize the WEP consequences but overall will be better off I trust. I then mentioned my wife and asked if she could do her as well. No problem she said. Looking at the pension laws it appears that since she was born in April 1950, she does indeed qualify(so I thought) for 60% of my earnings as she just squeezes in by date to the old pension laws. This is when the lady I was talking to at the International Pension center became confused as said the laws have changed and she qualifies under the old laws but not the very old laws and she needed to work it all out and it was complicated and my wife could benefit more when she worked it all out. I tried to tell her that my wife only had about 3-5 working years(if that) and therefore there wouldn't be anything to work out as I know that taking the 60% is the best deal. I apparently had run out of time then(they are allowed it seems 30 minutes per person) and she said that my wife should call back another time to compete the form and details over the phone but obviously I wanted a true indication of what she will receive to start with.
So could someone confirm based on what I have said, that she does indeed qualify for 60% or not regardless if she only worked 3 or 5 years. I have tried to search this online without any luck. Greatly appreciated. Thx.

tht

MidAtlantic

Interesting to see that you claimed by phone. I did the same but, in another thread, some expressed surprise that this was even possible and complained about the lengthy forms they had to complete.

I don't know the answer to your question about your wife's claim. I'm inclined to think that it is not necessarily simply 60%, otherwise the Pension Center would have immediately said so. I would call again as they are the only ones able to give a definitive reply.

branmin

I just found this in connection to my original question, albeit written a few years ago. Doesn't sound too good but surely my UK born wife is not classified as a "foreign spouse?" If this law since April 2016 applies to all spouses then I'm buggered.

https://www.lovemoney.com/news/20919...erseas-spouses

lansbury

I've asked for my post above to be deleted because I was reading the wrong page on the pensions web site when I posted that. It applies to death benefit pension.

I think the advice on the pension web site to contact them and ask is best. I can't find anything by searching that refers to someone eligible to claim now, whose spouse was born when yours was. If you were both to be of pension age now then I believe the April 2016 law applies to all. But you seem to be a hybrid case that falls across several law changes and your wife is best to call and ascertain what the pension people say.

mrken30

You’ll inherit half of your partner’s protected payment if your marriage or civil partnership with them began before 6 April 2016 and:

• their State Pension age is on or after 6 April 2016
• they died on or after 6 April 2016

It will be paid with your State Pension.

https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension...-civil-partner

lansbury

But neither the person asking the question or their spouse is deceased.

mrken30

Not yet, but it is a guaranteed life event.

lansbury

I'm sure he would prefer to wait until at least he and his wife have claimed their pensions.

tht