British Expatriate Network

I am sure this topic has been covered in the past, but please bear with me, as I am new to this forum. The time is nearing when I can think of retiring and I have been wondering how I can claim any British pensions due me. I still have my National Insurance number, but have no idea where to start looking. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Welcome to Britnet, Monksb!

Can't give you any help on the pension front except to tell you that yes, you can usually collect your UK pension in the US.

Have a look at this site
http//www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/ . It should be a good starting point for you.

and talk to Keith, he has his UK pension deposited in hi Canadian bank account every 2 weeks I think

Which country are you in?

It's very unfair that some Brits who have emigrated to (Commonwealth) countries such as Australia, Canada and South Africa get a UK pension at a 'frozen' rate, whereas those who went to some other countries (notably the USA) get theirs index-linked.

What you need to do is to request a 'pension forecast' (see the link above). You will then be informed of what your UK State Retirement pension rate will be, and depending how many years you have been away may also be able to top it up by paying additional voluntary Class 3 NI contributions.

Another site to look at is the "money" section of

http//www.saga.co.uk smile

Write to .

Pensions and overseas benefit directorate .
Tyneview park .
Whitney road .
Newcastle upon tyne .
NE98 1BA .
England .

Just give them your NI# and they will contact you and send you the necassary forms and tell you your benefit entitlement and when it starts .

I have mine deposited every 12 weeks in a state side bank and have just had a notice of a increase in the amount (a few dollars but every litte helps ,said the old lady as she peed in the sea ) .

I get it every 3 months instead of every 2 weeks as you lose some in the conversion and there is a fee for the transaction .

Hope this helps pm if you want more info smile

Here is the phone # if that helps .just found it

01912030203

And welcome to the forum smile

_________________

John.
Every moment you live is precious use it wisely .

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by JohnA on 2003-04-06 2054 ]</font>

I can help you spend it! lol

Welcome to the board Monk . . . enjoy your retirement

Thats because some countries dont have a *recipical agreement * with the UK althought i thought canada did ?.

Because of this if you choice to retire in a country other than UK you should take that agreement into consideration . :smile:

(a few dollar's but every little helps, said the old lady as she peed in the sea) lol lol lol never heard that one before johnA lol lol lol

Does anyone here still pay for their National Insurance stamps?

We do.

We don't Dawn, it just never even occurred to us. Maybe its something we should look into.

Monksb I'm so glad you asked this question, I'm off to check out the websites people posted.

Every citizen abroad is given that opportunity i was, and decided not to ,but imight have chosen differantly had i planned to return to blighty in the future :smile:

Hubby does.

Proberly a wise move :smile:,my decision was based primarly on the cost ,they needed a big up front payment

[quote]
On 2003-04-08 1655, Deborah wrote
We don't Dawn, it just never even occurred to us. Maybe its something we should look into.

Monksb I'm so glad you asked this question, I'm off to check out the websites people posted.
[/quote

Did you know you can pay up to 8 years back payments,you don't have to pay it all at once,ask them for details on how much it would cost,then whenever you have a few $
to spare send it.Can make quite a difference
when it comes time to collect.