Applied for UK State Pension today - 20 minutes and done!

[simon43]

Less than 4 months to my UK state pension date. so I telephoned the international pensions department to make my claim.

 

They did ask for some information that threw me!

 

"What date did you leave the UK?" Huh? I can't remember... "OK fine!"

"Does your British ex-wife pay NI?"  Er, maybe ask her!  "OK fine"

"About how much tax did you pay when teaching in Myanmar?" "I didn't. 'cos they had no system to collect tax!!"  "Oh.... fine"

 

Anyway, these questions seemed to just be to provide general background information, not actually relevant to my pension.  So having ticked the boxes on his form, the pensions chap took my bank details and said all was fine, and my pension money will start to flow, probably a little delayed for the first payment 'cos' of paperwork, but back-dated.

 

So all good and easy!  I was impressed at how quick and easy the process was 🙂

 

 

[Upnotover]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

probably a little delayed for the first payment 'cos' of paperwork, but back-dated.

They told you that?  Even applying 4 months early?  Maybe I'll apply now, only 22 months to go....

[simon43]

11 hours ago, Upnotover said:

They told you that?  Even applying 4 months early?  Maybe I'll apply now, only 22 months to go....

They actually said that the 1st payment could be delayed up to 4 months....

 

You can't apply now, only within 4 months of your pension start date 🙂

[jori123]

Pity u had to admit to being in th first year on frozen ok,second year bit itchy,third year kicking yourself

[jori123]

12 hours ago, jori123 said:

Pity u had to admit to being in th first year on frozen ok,second year bit itchy,third year kicking yourself

Imagine 15 years frozen. Lol when no need, nevermind 12 floor diving, id have a parachute on stepping over a curb , influence server's have done great harm, especially The Rat, face like a farmers arse on a frosty morning no doubt reading this,the prick, jealousy rules OK

 

[BritManToo]

On 2/25/2025 at 7:37 PM, simon43 said:

So having ticked the boxes on his form, the pensions chap took my bank details and said all was fine, and my pension money will start to flow, probably a little delayed for the first payment 'cos' of paperwork, but back-dated.

If you apply from within the UK it's paid on time.

It's only the international applications that are delayed.

[brianburi]

 

 

 

I received a half pension payout just two weeks after my 66th Birthday,  Like the OP I applied by telephone from Thailand and it gets paid into my Bangkok Bank account.

From the last two numbers on the NI number my payment is every 4 weeks on Tuesday,  It goes into BBL account two days later unless Thai holidays in the week,  Very reliable service.........

[jori123]

28 minutes ago, brianburi said:

 

 

 

I received a half pension payout just two weeks after my 66th Birthday,  Like the OP I applied by telephone from Thailand and it gets paid into my Bangkok Bank account.

From the last two numbers on the NI number my payment is every 4 weeks on Tuesday,  It goes into BBL account two days later unless Thai holidays in the week,  Very reliable service.........

Better service, Wise account,get their ATM card,nice looking card,if that's what could be called nice,works any ATM machine anywhere in world,200b withdrawal,get 4.5% while in balance,(was anyway)

[Moonlover]

28 minutes ago, jori123 said:

59 minutes ago, brianburi said:

 

 

 

I received a half pension payout just two weeks after my 66th Birthday,  Like the OP I applied by telephone from Thailand and it gets paid into my Bangkok Bank account.

 

28 minutes ago, jori123 said:

Better service, Wise account,get their ATM card,nice looking card,if that's what could be called nice,works any ATM machine anywhere in world,200b withdrawal,get 4.5% while in balance,(was anyway)

You can only get a Wise debit card if you have a UK address. The poster above, just like the O/P applied from Thailand. That would indicate that they are, like me already living abroad and do not have a UK address. So your suggestion @jori123 is a moot one.

[jori123]

Nothing moot,either relative, friend or paid for,contact address only....me?from hotel

[Moonlover]

On 2/26/2025 at 8:36 AM, simon43 said:

They actually said that the 1st payment could be delayed up to 4 months....

 

You can't apply now, only within 4 months of your pension start date 🙂

I think you must have miss heard that Simon. I cannot believe there could be a 4 month delay! Unless, of course they have some reason to question your entitlement.

 

If you're like most folks and get paid 4 weekly, your first payment will be 4 weeks from your inception date (usually your birthday) plus the number of days up your normal payment day. You can work that out from your NI number. (See the website below)

 

For all the moaning one reads about the DWP and the IPC, overall they are very efficient.

 

https://www.gov.uk/state-pension/when-youre-paid

[Moonlover]

1 hour ago, jori123 said:

Nothing moot,either relative, friend or paid for,contact address only....me?from hotel

Otherwise known as a false declaration!

[OJAS]

On 2/25/2025 at 7:37 PM, simon43 said:

So all good and easy!  I was impressed at how quick and easy the process was

 

A distinct improvement on the rigmarole I had to go through 10 years ago, when I was required to submit my original birth certificate which then went AWOL!

 

[jori123]

1 hour ago, Moonlover said:

Otherwise known as a false declaration!

That right? Think not,there and then.had this out before,read regulations,I'm here unfrozen,AA too, receiving _£110 tax free a week,get in touch with DWP where I stand,better quizzing them than me again enjoy Ur frozen pension 

 

[jori123]

2 hours ago, Moonlover said:

Otherwise known as a false declaration!

You see,but in your case not.Regulations state even if there is an issue on OAP and aa nothing will be done,read them

 

[soi3eddie]

6 hours ago, jori123 said:

Better service, Wise account,get their ATM card,nice looking card,if that's what could be called nice,works any ATM machine anywhere in world,200b withdrawal,get 4.5% while in balance,(was anyway)

Wise cards do not work in Myanmar. That's at ATMs or for purchases. Wise are full woke and block places they feel should be sanctioned (while other UK cards worked fine). 

[jori123]

Did not think any ATM cards work in Burma , few years since been there 

[scubascuba3]

On 2/26/2025 at 8:36 AM, simon43 said:

They actually said that the 1st payment could be delayed up to 4 months....

 

You can't apply now, only within 4 months of your pension start date 🙂

How many years NI have you paid? you can check that by logging into HMRC, i use the app, it shows years paid, any missing years and predicted pension

[brianburi]

20 hours ago, jori123 said:

Better service, Wise account,get their ATM card,nice looking card,if that's what could be called nice,works any ATM machine anywhere in world,200b withdrawal,get 4.5% while in balance,(was anyway)

why would I want a Wise account here in Thailand?  Both my pensions are paid into BBL and their banking app is great.  Pay truck, loan, all house bills and err wife......from it.  For beer chits, I get from wife and pay back thru transfer.  Haven't  used an ATM here for a long time....

[jori123]

2 hours ago, brianburi said:

why would I want a Wise account here in Thailand?  Both my pensions are paid into BBL and their banking app is great.  Pay truck, loan, all house bills and err wife......from it.  For beer chits, I get from wife and pay back thru transfer.  Haven't  used an ATM here for a long time....

 

[jori123]

46 minutes ago, jori123 said:

 

Using keyboard big one attached to phone reply did not go thru, however hope this does,  if paid thru ipc it originally would be frozen,wasted,anyone would be off their rocker to elect thru ipc,stated nothing will be done,and jobs for boys and girls at ipc  hardly likely to let go,use A 1   to find status, nobody ever has been sanctioned  Inc me on unfrozen  and aa. I'm OK jack

[jori123]

Gone quiet,never mind,im off soon to blighty,coming back tho month or two.id always go thru dwp for pensions, me, i say, once ipc have u they have u by the balls. Cannot see them ipc letting go unless a word with dm   decision maker into ending plight of being frozen. Jealousy is ripe tho with those already frozen,god like major crime,when no crime at all civil too. Tales ,met at the airport,even two conspired  yes you rat, paid 250 quid for hoax official letter from dwp,sick...ill say. Sent more than a few back thru being frozen       stuck up country,not patts, nothing to shag,girlfriend happy tho,miss getting my balls massaged daily,but she has a mansion type place,bloddy prison for me.  Sorry for those frozen   bye bye............

[jori123]

That's it almost , back ome, via Honkers,free bag for someone of 23kg,meet at airport. Give it thought tho,how ridiculous frozen pension is, no-one looking nobody bothered,,sick bastard's. Long jail terms,pay it all back lol thinking that officials hunting down the unfrozen , sick bastard's suggesting it.         Photo and fingerprint required 

[Lite Beer]

On 2/28/2025 at 9:54 AM, brianburi said:

 

 

 

I received a half pension payout just two weeks after my 66th Birthday,  Like the OP I applied by telephone from Thailand and it gets paid into my Bangkok Bank account.

From the last two numbers on the NI number my payment is every 4 weeks on Tuesday,  It goes into BBL account two days later unless Thai holidays in the week,  Very reliable service.........

Thai Holiday. UK Holiday. US Holiday will all make it late.

[simon43]

On 2/28/2025 at 9:13 AM, jori123 said:

Imagine 15 years frozen. Lol when no need, nevermind 12 floor diving, id have a parachute on stepping over a curb , influence server's have done great harm, especially The Rat, face like a farmers arse on a frosty morning no doubt reading this,the prick, jealousy rules OK

 

What cobblers are you talking about?  I'm fully aware that the UK state pension is frozen if I remain in Thailand, Laos etc. Right now, with my online teaching, my income will be about $2,500 per month, which is perfectly adequate (more than adequate) for a single person.  When I finally end my online teaching, I can simply move to The Philippines, where my state pension is not frozen.

[simon43]

On 2/28/2025 at 11:02 AM, Moonlover said:

 

You can only get a Wise debit card if you have a UK address. The poster above, just like the O/P applied from Thailand. That would indicate that they are, like me already living abroad and do not have a UK address. So your suggestion @jori123 is a moot one.

Also, when I was in the UK about 2 years ago, I applied for a Wise debit card. They sent it 'UNLOCKED' to my hotel address where the dozy hotel manager stole it and ran up 100 quid in Grab take-out food (apparently, Wise does no security checks for Grab food!!).

 

I complained to Wise and they cancelled the card and fully refunded me.  Then they sent a new debit card which was also UNLOCKED!!  The hotel manager stole the card again and I had to repeat the refund process.

 

After that, I gave up getting the card!  My Wise bank account works fine, but I have no idea why they send out unlocked physical cards.

 

Reminder to self:  Stay at a different hotel next time! 🙂

[simon43]

On 2/28/2025 at 7:30 PM, jori123 said:

Did not think any ATM cards work in Burma , few years since been there 

Well, Myanmar bank ATM cards usually work in bigger cities.  With overseas cards, it's hit and miss, mostly due to no internet data connection from Myanmar to the international banking network to check if you have enough funds for your ATM withdrawal.

 

[quote]

I cannot believe there could be a 4 month delay!

[/quote]

 

She was reading a standard legal statement to me. I assume to cover themselves if the payment is delayed.

 

 

 

[simon43]

On 3/1/2025 at 6:01 AM, scubascuba3 said:

How many years NI have you paid? you can check that by logging into HMRC, i use the app, it shows years paid, any missing years and predicted pension

Yes, I use the HMRC gateway.  I have 29 years, mostly paid at the el-cheapo Class 3(? - self-employed) rate voluntary top-ups.  I will receive about 37,000 baht a month.

[simon43]

@jori123, are you actually writing in English?  I find it rather difficult to understand your posts!

[Moonlover]

4 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Also, when I was in the UK about 2 years ago, I applied for a Wise debit card. They sent it 'UNLOCKED' to my hotel address where the dozy hotel manager stole it and ran up 100 quid in Grab take-out food (apparently, Wise does no security checks for Grab food!!).

 

I complained to Wise and they cancelled the card and fully refunded me.  Then they sent a new debit card which was also UNLOCKED!!  The hotel manager stole the card again and I had to repeat the refund process.

 

After that, I gave up getting the card!  My Wise bank account works fine, but I have no idea why they send out unlocked physical cards.

 

Reminder to self:  Stay at a different hotel next time! 🙂

Wise, very wisely, will only send out a debit to your registered UK address. Which they would reasonably assume to be a secure address.

 

You, very unwisely had yours mailed to an address that obviously what not secure. And then to compound your error you made the same mistake again. Tut tut!

 

I'd say that you were very lucky that Wise saw fit to reimburse not just once, but twice!