UK pensions

[evadgib]

1. It was the pension people despite any mistake in my post.

2. The info was first hand when given to me. I can't post specifics for a number of reasons, inc them currently being in UK.

[jpinx]

1. It was the pension people despite any mistake in my post.

2. The info was first hand when given to me. I can't post specifics for a number of reasons, inc them currently being in UK.

They have to pay back what? Income tax underpaid? Basic pension increases? Specifics would help clear this up

[Seekingasylum]

This may well have been covered before, but this is such a long thread and covers a multitude of UK pension issues that I simply don't have enough time to trawl through the whole thread - sorry.

The current basic pension is around £107pw (pls correct me if that is wrong). What is the minimum amount one has to pay in to get that amount upon reaching retirement age?

I left the UK when I was 31 (in 2001) and have lived here ever since. Would I be entitled to anything or would I have to top it up? If I didn't top it up, is there somewhere I can take a look at that tells me roughly what I might be entitled too?

Thanks.

The truth is nobody has a clue.

By the time you retire the new system will be in force.

You would need to have made 35 years of contributions.

If not you will get a reduced amount providing you have paid more than 10 years.

You may be able to top it up.

[Seekingasylum]

This may well have been covered before, but this is such a long thread and covers a multitude of UK pension issues that I simply don't have enough time to trawl through the whole thread - sorry.

The current basic pension is around £107pw (pls correct me if that is wrong). What is the minimum amount one has to pay in to get that amount upon reaching retirement age?

I left the UK when I was 31 (in 2001) and have lived here ever since. Would I be entitled to anything or would I have to top it up? If I didn't top it up, is there somewhere I can take a look at that tells me roughly what I might be entitled too?

Thanks.

Under the new rules you will have to have made a minimum of 10 years worth of contributions in order to qualify for a state pension allowance. The maximum pension payable requires a minimum of 35 years of contributions. The proposed maximum unified pension is currently estimated to be around £7,500 per annum although this depends on the nature of your national insurance contributions. For many state and local authority employees viz. armed forces, civil servants, police, firemen, teachers etc., the pension will be reduced since their contributions were made at a lower rate. The estimated maximum pension for them is currently in the order of £6,500 per annum. If you have not been able to attain the maximum pension through 35 years contributions then you will receive a proportion dependent upon the number of years contributions you have made. You may be able to buy extra years but this will depend on several factors and be subject to a defined limit - you would need to write to the DWP for a definitive response.

[evadgib]

1. It was the pension people despite any mistake in my post.

2. The info was first hand when given to me. I can't post specifics for a number of reasons, inc them currently being in UK.

They have to pay back what? Income tax underpaid? Basic pension increases? Specifics would help clear this up

As would a suitably worded FoI request.

[loppylugs1]

1. It was the pension people despite any mistake in my post.

2. The info was first hand when given to me. I can't post specifics for a number of reasons, inc them currently being in UK.

They have to pay back what? Income tax underpaid? Basic pension increases? Specifics would help clear this up

As would a suitably worded FoI request.

No it would not,you have already concluded the FoI only answer extremely generalised questions, and yes they do,so why throw a red herring into the pot that has no relevance.

The rumour mill is devastating,"the pension people" you mean the DWP. so it could be credits(more likely) anything connected to segment 1 of the benefits bill which is sanctionable,segment 2 which is non-sanctionable where the OAP is states categorically that no reduction no stoppage no nothing,it has to be paid to the intended in full.

Now I realise this thread is made up by the majority of frozen pensioners,or going to me, and it gives cold comfort to fellow bed fellows

[evadgib]

As a general rule I only post when I know what i'm talking about and know or believe my answer to be factually correct. A FoI request listing say the top 5 countries & offering a date window that keeps it within their parameters (£, hours) will show how many have been caught and what happened to them, answering the post to which I replied.

This may come as a surprize, but some of us are a decade or more from pensionable age & want it sorted long before we get there.

[jpinx]

1. It was the pension people despite any mistake in my post.

2. The info was first hand when given to me. I can't post specifics for a number of reasons, inc them currently being in UK.

They have to pay back what? Income tax underpaid? Basic pension increases? Specifics would help clear this up

As would a suitably worded FoI request.

No it would not,you have already concluded the FoI only answer extremely generalised questions, and yes they do,so why throw a red herring into the pot that has no relevance.

The rumour mill is devastating,"the pension people" you mean the DWP. so it could be credits(more likely) anything connected to segment 1 of the benefits bill which is sanctionable,segment 2 which is non-sanctionable where the OAP is states categorically that no reduction no stoppage no nothing,it has to be paid to the intended in full.

Now I realise this thread is made up by the majority of frozen pensioners,or going to me, and it gives cold comfort to fellow bed fellows

Thanks for a glimmer of sanity/clarity in this matter. Are there links to the references for the "sanctionable" and "non-sanctionable" elements?

[loppylugs1]

PM'd you (above)

Just let them waffle on,please do not divulge

[loppylugs1]

As a general rule I only post when I know what i'm talking about and know or believe my answer to be factually correct. A FoI request listing say the top 5 countries & offering a date window that keeps it within their parameters (£, hours) will show how many have been caught and what happened to them, answering the post to which I replied.

This may come as a surprize, but some of us are a decade or more from pensionable age & want it sorted long before we get there.

I do not know what exactly you are referring to,but if is actually the OAP you are incorrect

[evadgib]

That's just as well, because i'm done trying to explain.

[chiang mai]

PM'd you (above)

Just let them waffle on,please do not divulge

I'll convince somebody somewhere of something, even if it's the most vulnerable and I have to do it behind closed doors.

[uptheos]

For people who are experiencing anxiety regarding having no pension and being destitute if they return to UK.

Once you return to the UK notify DWP you are back and just give them your details, they are helpful.

As far as living on nothing it's not going to happen, you won't be destitute.

I have just done a fictional calculation on Turn to Us which anyone can do by putting in fictional birth dates etc.

The one I just did was based on a 70 year old man with a pension of just 10 pounds a month paying private rent of 550 a month

This is the result

• Guarantee Pension Credit 137.75 per week
• Housing Benefit 104 a week (different area are capped at different amounts)
• State Pension increased to just 13.95 a week

Total benefits per week 255.70 x 52 weeks divided by 12 months = 1108 pounds per calendar month

Everyone's mileage varies, but the bottom line is that if you are a British Citizen who has reached pension age then you are entitled to a minimum amount to live on. You might not live in luxury, but even if you live with say children, you won't get housing benefit but you will get Guarantee Pension Credit and a slight increase in the actual pension.

Don't be frightened by the scaremongers on the is site!!

Don't take my word for it do your own calculation here........ http://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

[JetsetBkk]

PM'd you (above)

Just let them waffle on,please do not divulge

Unbelievable.

[chiang mai]

OZ - Don't be silly, this is 2015 and GBP 1,105 a month for total income of a 70 year old person who doesn't own a home in the UK is fantasy.

Am happy however to be proved wrong, as long as it is set out in detail.

[uptheos]

Also Habitual residence is not written in stone, I spoke the head of a council recently and she told me the average is two months, the longest three months and it can be as quick as just a few days.

As Lord Chief Justice Roberts said;

1. The danger of overemphasising viability is this. A claimant needs to establish habitual residence in order to claim an income-related benefit. A claim would not be necessary if the claimant has a guaranteed source of funds sufficient for survival. The danger is that the only claimants who can establish habitual residence will be those who have sufficient access to funds not to need it. That cannot be right. Habitual residence is a test of entitlement, not a bar to entitlement. It must be applied in a way that allows for the possibility of a claimant establishing both habitual residence and an entitlement to income support.

[loppylugs1]

For people who are experiencing anxiety regarding having no pension and being destitute if they return to UK.

Once you return to the UK notify DWP you are back and just give them your details, they are helpful.

As far as living on nothing it's not going to happen, you won't be destitute.

I have just done a fictional calculation on Turn to Us which anyone can do by putting in fictional birth dates etc.

The one I just did was based on a 70 year old man with a pension of just 10 pounds a month paying private rent of 550 a month

This is the result

• Guarantee Pension Credit 137.75 per week
• Housing Benefit 104 a week (different area are capped at different amounts)
• State Pension increased to just 13.95 a week

Total benefits per week 255.70 x 52 weeks divided by 12 months = 1108 pounds per calendar month

Everyone's mileage varies, but the bottom line is that if you are a British Citizen who has reached pension age then you are entitled to a minimum amount to live on. You might not live in luxury, but even if you live with say children, you won't get housing benefit but you will get Guarantee Pension Credit and a slight increase in the actual pension.

Don't be frightened by the scaremongers on the is site!!

Don't take my word for it do your own calculation here........ http://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

Never a bloody truer word,Self Apponted- self annointed Mr Public Announcer will be along shortly to announce erm another load of total crap

[loppylugs1]

OZ - Don't be silly, this is 2015 and GBP 1,105 a month for total income of a 70 year old person who doesn't own a home in the UK is fantasy.

Am happy however to be proved wrong, as long as it is set out in detail.

Thats OK You are not usually right but unfortunately..you are...wrong again

[loppylugs1]

PM'd you (above)

Just let them waffle on,please do not divulge

I'll convince somebody somewhere of something, even if it's the most vulnerable and I have to do it behind closed doors.

...of a mental institution

[uptheos]

My point is there are a lot of people with very little pension entitlement, who need to go back because of finances, poor health etc.

They think that by going back they will get no money, no medical treatment etc, so they rot in fear of going back.

If they go back they will get money, not a lot and if they are homeless the council will find hostel accommodation or other.

They will at least have a bed, a warm place and access to medical treatment, plus their meagre pension topped up with guarantee pension credit.

Being homeless, when the local housing department are convinced the person is back for good they will accept them on the housing list, where they can then bid for a one bedroom sheltered place if necessary or any other one bedroom place that has a social rent, which housing benefit usually covers in full. If they are also vulnerable with a serious medical condition the will go straight into Band A of the council's bidding and probably get their own little place quite quickly.

Anyone over pension age, with no finances and poor health, should not fear going back if they feel desperate.

There are lots of organisations ready to assist if you need them

Shelter

Age UK

CAB

and more, use them that's what they are there for to help and support a person, they will make sure you get what yopu are entitled to, however little that is.

[Rajab Al Zarahni]

For people who are experiencing anxiety regarding having no pension and being destitute if they return to UK.

Once you return to the UK notify DWP you are back and just give them your details, they are helpful.

As far as living on nothing it's not going to happen, you won't be destitute.

I have just done a fictional calculation on Turn to Us which anyone can do by putting in fictional birth dates etc.

The one I just did was based on a 70 year old man with a pension of just 10 pounds a month paying private rent of 550 a month

This is the result

• Guarantee Pension Credit 137.75 per week
• Housing Benefit 104 a week (different area are capped at different amounts)
• State Pension increased to just 13.95 a week

Total benefits per week 255.70 x 52 weeks divided by 12 months = 1108 pounds per calendar month

Everyone's mileage varies, but the bottom line is that if you are a British Citizen who has reached pension age then you are entitled to a minimum amount to live on. You might not live in luxury, but even if you live with say children, you won't get housing benefit but you will get Guarantee Pension Credit and a slight increase in the actual pension.

Don't be frightened by the scaremongers on the is site!!

Don't take my word for it do your own calculation here........ http://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

I can't recall this scare ever being mongered

[loppylugs1]

For people who are experiencing anxiety regarding having no pension and being destitute if they return to UK.

Once you return to the UK notify DWP you are back and just give them your details, they are helpful.

As far as living on nothing it's not going to happen, you won't be destitute.

I have just done a fictional calculation on Turn to Us which anyone can do by putting in fictional birth dates etc.

The one I just did was based on a 70 year old man with a pension of just 10 pounds a month paying private rent of 550 a month

This is the result

• Guarantee Pension Credit 137.75 per week
• Housing Benefit 104 a week (different area are capped at different amounts)
• State Pension increased to just 13.95 a week

Total benefits per week 255.70 x 52 weeks divided by 12 months = 1108 pounds per calendar month

Everyone's mileage varies, but the bottom line is that if you are a British Citizen who has reached pension age then you are entitled to a minimum amount to live on. You might not live in luxury, but even if you live with say children, you won't get housing benefit but you will get Guarantee Pension Credit and a slight increase in the actual pension.

Don't be frightened by the scaremongers on the is site!!

Don't take my word for it do your own calculation here........ http://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

I can't recall this scare ever being mongered

No but there are mongers doing a bit of scaring

[taff33]

Has anybody successfully claimed the appropriate rate when they've visited the UK, the EU or any other country that uprates pensions?

yes every time I go back to the UK I phone them up, give the date I arrived and the date of my departing flight.

[Rajab Al Zarahni]

PM'd you (above)

Just let them waffle on,please do not divulge

Unbelievable.

Certainly incredible but not unbelievable.

[Ricardo]

So it now appears that, despite having 35-years' NI-contributions & despite politicians' previous statements to the contrary, many future recipients will still find that they don't get the full GBP 151.25-per-week government pension after all.

Why am I not surprised, by this back-tracking ?

If I hadn't already left-for-good, this sort of lying deceitful treatment of its citizens by the UK-government, would strongly encourage me to go now, rather than continue to rely upon their ever keeping their previous assurances.

[JetsetBkk]

loppylugs1, if you actually knew what you were talking about, as you state here...:

LOL

No its knowing exactly what one is talking about,not likened to you yesterday or the Public Advisory either. Cannot help if one is of a nervous disposition ,should not contribute worthless crap

<snip>

...why on earth would you respond to this request for a link...:

Thanks for a glimmer of sanity/clarity in this matter. Are there links to the references for the "sanctionable" and "non-sanctionable" elements?

...with this ridiculous post...:

PM'd you (above)

Just let them waffle on,please do not divulge

Why would you not want to divulge your source?

This is a forum for sharing information. I think you've forgotten that.

PS. I think it's time for the mods to start cleaning up this thread, again.

[JB300]

PM'd you (above)

Just let them waffle on,please do not divulge

Unbelievable.

Certainly incredible but not unbelievable.

You see this thread is likened to a hornet nest,disturb the nest and all the hornets come out to play...well not hornets but fellow "like" button followers

For years I know you in the Mr ( self appointed) Public Advisory role have been wrong,tosh pure and utter tosh ignoramus comment at its maximum. Now I am not offended by replied comment telling me I'm wrong,not one bit ,why should I? For you are forgoing the annual increase to help me gain and maintain the increase and for that I congratulate you,really I do,all you "like" button pressers too .

You have a job to do,and the job is keep advising of doom and hellfire,you do it well,keep it up. At the end I suppose people will realise how wrong you were ,and may indeed pin some form of tag onto you,but until then,...keep it up

...and from me thank you A BIG Thank You

For somebody who's "Thankful" to all of the people who have a bit more moral fiber & choose honesty over a few measly quid (not that the money matters to you with the tax bill that would make people wince)... You sure seem to enjoy having a go at them.

As I've said before, as long as you can sleep at night, personally I refuse to sacrifice my dignity for the derisory sum that the state pension will give me (or for a driving license) but we're all made of different stuff.

[Liquorice]

So it now appears that, despite having 35-years' NI-contributions & despite politicians' previous statements to the contrary, many future recipients will still find that they don't get the full GBP 151.25-per-week government pension after all.

Why am I not surprised, by this back-tracking ?

If I hadn't already left-for-good, this sort of lying deceitful treatment of its citizens by the UK-government, would strongly encourage me to go now, rather than continue to rely upon their ever keeping their previous assurances.

Diplomacy is the art of turning over a new leaf and saying 'we will', until they can find another leaf that says 'we can't'.

The word 'politics' is derived from the word 'poly', meaning 'many', and the word 'ticks', meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.

[evadgib]

It's hard to believe that the ultimate goal of all of us is to see the back of this 'frozen' nonsence.

A fortnight ago possum1931 commented elsewhere that this thread had died. Regulars try to keep it alive in a number of ways but are shot down by a buffoon who's only weapon is abuse.

I frankly wish TV would expidite the introduction of software enabling iggy lists to work on smartphones as i'm finding this constant pissing in the wind rather tiresome.

+

[JockPieandBeans]

@ Seekingasylum

For many state and local authority employees viz. armed forces, civil servants, police, firemen, teachers etc., the pension will be reduced since their contributions were made at a lower rate. The estimated maximum pension for them is currently in the order of £6,500 per annum

Do you have a link to this ?

I am not convinced that members of the Armed Forces paid a reduced rate in NI contributions. I can easily check as I still have pay statements back in the UK.

Any other ex-Forces member, have any recollection of reduced rates of NI ?