Oss brought this up some weeks back. I have been looking into it too. I eventually received a statement from the DWP with following info: Number of years of contributions on record (mine sits at 37 ) An estimate of a weekly payment. Mine is signigicantly higher than the basic sum. What it would be under the new rules but with a statement saying that whichever is the higher of the two, I would receive. It also goes on about UK pensions overseas. https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad/how-to-claim
I have a bad feeling that I DON'T have enough, and won't ever have enough. 31 years in work, am 62 now, but 12 years overseas. Edited: I am clearly going senile - I can't count. 62-21 is 41 not 31 and I have 12 years overseas so that's 29 - I just have to keep working to 65 and I make it OK - but need to check.
I had a letter as well from DWP a few years ago saying I needed to top up my NI payments as I had missed a few years (due to working abroad in Malta for 3 years back in the 90's) However, I had already 23 years out of 30 earned at that point (as of 2009) and I'm only 45, so I didn't bother paying that shortfall.
Hmm this is something I've being meaning to do. I've not paid in for what we'll call a significent amount of time so I'm well down. I've not been very provactive in chasing it because I honeslty believe the pensions won't realy exsist by the time i get to the pensionable age (whatever that will be) and if there is still something in place then it will be means tested meaning i'll most probably recieve a nominal amount. I personally think my money is best put elsewhere for now for my future.
Stu, I had a wonderful surprise when a private pension scheme that I had paid into for all of four years in the early 90's wrote to me out of the Blue to say that so far as they were concerned I retired at 62 and would I like some money? Not a fortune but a very handy £290 a month, index linked. These things may be worth more than you expect. I am very interested in the question of what if anything K can get if we marry and when I die. I read somewhere that we need to marry before the 31st of March 2016.
I was making voluntary contributions due to working outside the UK. Several years ago they wrote informing me that I had made the required 30 years contributions and they stopped taking direct debits from my bank account. I have recently heard that it has changed to a required 35 years contributions (???). I don't care, why bother, the whole state pension situation stinks, it is constantly changing and pension "rights" are constantly eroded by successive government, especially for those who have contributed into the system. Don't get bamboozled by the "official" projections of how you are likely to live to "age 93". Looking back at the last few generations on my family tree (Fathers side) I have a good idea how long I will live.
Also there are considerations for if you have been "contracted out" for part of the period Daily Mail article
I will give them a bell tomorrow, just out of interest. Though my circumstances are clear ( for the moment anyway ).
i never thought i would get the full state pension--many years self employed--some years contributions were non-existant. last few years before retirement i was on long term incapacity benefit. however--i get the full state pension--plus additional state pension---plus a useful amount of pension savings credit. all told i get about £170 a week---no complaints here. i have no private pensions. as an aside. if i fell below a certain amount--i could get pension guarantee credit---which would then open the door to other benefits like council tax credit--and help with mortgage interest or rent ( if applicable )...........which raises this : if i am able to get my partner over here--she cant claim any benefits for 5 years--right ?-----------but if i had to fall back on to pension credit--i could claim for the married couples allowance---which would take care of both of us. ( although--in my case--my savings would rule that out---unless i buy a home with the dosh )
Definitely needs looking into. Interestingly, though releasing capital to get your partner here, you shoot yourself in the foot with the married couples allowance. You need to put it into an offshore account. Send it here. I will look after it.
Yeah sorry John I got distracted, it is a big subject and I have done some more research since mostly relevant to me personally. Like you I have 37 years of contributions, contracted out for 4 years but that only affects State Second Pension and SERPS, self employed for 14 years but paid the correct stamp to retain entitlement to state pension, current projection is 138 quid a week which reflects the 18 years contracted out or in self employment, when they bring in the new flat rate people our age will qualify for for the flat rate but with an additional adjustment for State Second Pension and SERPS, (and Graduated Pension for which I have one year of tiny contributions) so with a bit of luck on current projections I should get something like 150 ish a week maybe a bit more, but I have to wait till I'm 66 and I'll probably be dead before that I'm still thinking of writing a proper pensions thread that would indicate how spouses moving to the UK will be affected by the rule changes and so on. Although they are quoting 30 years depending on your age 35 will be required, in my case 30 years were required and now it is 35 years for me but I have 37 so I'm fine.
very thoughtful and kind of you JA. i may well buy a place with it eventually--but--no rush though. it feels nice and warm having a few bob in the bank.
Its a funny thing as its been a pensions day at work. Various people at work are about to commence with a private pension plan with company contributions. And I have had a couple of phone conversations with DWP in UK. In the past I have not taken much interest but now things are drawing nearer I naturally am paying more attention to it all. I didnt know I was entitled to more than the basic state pension. Came as a surprise.
