samtam

I managed to get Future Payments on the telephone first thing at their opening, and they were, as has been noted, very pleasant and helpful. They identified the 4 years I needed to pay to cover the shortfall. I then was given he HMRC number, called that, and got through easily, obtained a reference code, and have made a payment through my internet banking, (which I hope they will not freeze for fraud alert checks, as they have done on the previous large transactions...will find out by tomorrow). I am grateful to all those who contributed to help me progess in my preparation for claiming next March, including partington, Upnotover ad chickenslegs. My GBP3,244 payment today will increase my annual pension by over GBP1,104 pa, once it has covered the cost.

OK, thanks. I will try and get them on the blower tomorrow.

Appreciate your advice. So, here's breakdown: ...and accordingly, I should pay and additional GBP2,444.00 (GBP795.60 + 824.20 + 824.20)? Should I get confirmation from NI DWP?

Just received this answer to the overseas form filling regarding payment into a UK account:

This is what mine says: however, this then follows: Do you have the same? The "what follows" means I have to contribute to attain the forecast, although I think I will not get the current full pension, which is GBP179.60, even if I make further contributions. If I don't make any further contributions, then I don't know what I get.

But where do they send the invitation code to?

OK, thanks. I need DWP to tell me what I need to pay to get the full pension. I was oblivious to the changes from 30 to 35 years, and have only started taking an interest since I turned 65 in March, and wanted to check how I claimed, and what I assumed would be my full pension.

So you pay about 50% of what the GBP27 pw would be, to top up to get the full GBP170 pw pension.

Perhaps you applied as a UK resident? The overseas form only suggests overseas accounts.

Thanks. Yes, I discovered on online form, so let's see how many weeks that takes to answer!

OK, got it. I will find out how many years I need to pay. Just confused why contributions jump from 30 years to 35 years to 40 years.

So if you hadn't contributed 5 years of AVCs, you would still have received GBP143? Presumably the 5 years cost to increase the weekly to GBP170 cost around GBP7,020? (Difference of GBP27 pw x 52 x 5).

OK, I have sent an online inquiry. Just so I have some idea, what did 5 years of AVCs cost you?

My record begins with:

I do not understand the exorbitant amounts it seems to suggest I need to pay to fill the shortfall. I will try and get someone on the phone early morning their time.

That may well be the case. It would be great to talk to someone at the NI office. Will go and top up my phone and waste another 500 baht waiting on the line.

Thanks. I changed my original reply. The shortfall seems to suggest I need to pay about GBP800 pa since 2005, which is completely barmy....about GBP12,800!

Thank you. I completed, and I too find that I have a shortfall to complete my forecast, which surprises me, as I was informed in 2009 that I was fully paid up. In order to achieve the forecast, I have to contribute a further GBP800 per annum from 2005 to 2021. This does not make any sense to me!

Thanks, I thought it was ambiguous too. I will try that one. I called several and was finally given: +44 800 731 0341 (International Pensions Centre) where I waited, and waited.

I have to have a UK address to do that. I do not. Even applying through your website suggests that you have to have pension paid into a bank account abroad. I want it paid to my bank account in UK. I wonder which number you used. I tried the one of their website which was in an endless queue. Also, I'm not clear whether you can claim 4 months prior to your 66th birthday, or only after your 66th birthday. The claim from abroad also requests employment history abroad. I worked abroad for most of my life, but paid voluntary contributions to the maximum, which I had completed in 2009, (fully paid up).

I just got a new passport yesterday. About to be picked up by my IMM agent for transferring of stamps. He said I had to go in person, but as I've just had eye surgery, and look a fright, a sweetner will take care of my absence. Once that's done, I'll begin the laborious process of informing the banks where I have accounts, and completing the screeds of paper to effect that, a joy I will delay as long as I can. Agree, this is the ideal. However, the turnaround on passports, (cif above), is nothing to be proud of, sadly. But I suppose I was relatively lucky, as it only took 7 weeks. My UKDL took an inordinate amount of time and the tracking, (it was posted by my brother) showed it sitting at some Royal Mail office in the ulu for about a month. Yes, I know RM is not a government department. ...or the ones who travel have a gofer to do the donkey work. That's how I operate, as much as possible here now.

I turned 65 in March this year. I know my UK pension, (which is fully paid up), is not payable till my 66th birthday in March 2023. However, I'm not clear whether I have to complete a Claim Form, or whether they have my records on file (!). I stopped contributing in 2009. I checked online, but I'm not sure whether I've located the correct URL. Has anyone here done this recently, (claimed and successfully received), and can they share their experience please, and relevant URL? Many thanks.

What sort of anesthetic did you have? I only ask because mine was the injection into the eyeball, which broke a blood vessel and my eye is a complete mess. Luckily the actual cataract removal and replacement seems to have gone ok, (It's only 2 days since.) But I shall be keeping a low profile until the dracula look has dissipated, in about 3-4 weeks.

I think this newspaper needs a new calculator... I think this newspaper needs a new calculator... Sorry to hear. Would you describe yourself as being in the "vulnerable group" with comorbidities, and were you vaccinated, (with which, and how many doses)?

Notification today at 15.22 that passport received at VFS, so taken 7 weeks. I have 30 days to collect, which is just aswell, as I have eye surgery on Monday, and will need to convalesce for about a week plus. Anyway, good news.